Chapter 259
Chapter 259
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 259
Chapter Title: Outing
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“I see…… so.”
Kim Jin-ah, who had gone somewhere to buy land, rested her chin on her hand.
She then looked at me with an utterly bewildered expression.
“You want to rest, but you don’t know how?”
“Yes, exactly. I’ve never properly rested before.”
I nodded in confirmation, and Kim Jin-ah’s face grew even more incredulous.
And well it might.
People live through rest.
Even she, swamped with work, would crack open a beer can and gaze at the stars when things got tough.
Employees working in Starhaven had paid leave.
The nation even designated legal holidays to help its citizens lead better lives.
‘Well, I get it.’
I understood her expression, but what could I do?
If I didn’t know, I didn’t know.
The world has all sorts of people.
No one who hasn’t lived in the exact same environment as me could ever understand.
“Hmm, if the Guild Master wants to rest……”
In the meeting room, Kim Jin-ah sat on the sofa, pondering seriously.
“I’m insanely busy with work, you know? But I could use some leave and have a drink with you.”
“……Pardon?”
I said I wanted to rest, so what was this about?
Ssssh!
At that moment, someone appeared in midair.
“I can join too, Dong-hoon.”
The space, devoid of any scent moments ago, filled with the fragrance of peonies.
The unique body scent of Dark Agent Gi So-yul.
‘She’s improved a lot.’
I marveled inwardly.
I had sensed someone hiding nearby, but I hadn’t realized she was controlling her scent too.
Of course.
Kim Jin-ah apparently hadn’t noticed the stealth.
“Eek! You scared me……!”
Her startled jump said it all.
“W-were you nearby?”
Kim Jin-ah stammered, her face flushing red.
“No, Dark Agent……! I only asked you to guard me when I go out! This is paradise!”
“Ah, I’ve had chances to build up my stealth proficiency lately……”
“Is that so? Whew……”
As Kim Jin-ah sighed and shook her head.
I spoke up again.
“Well, anyway. Drinking sounds fine…… but recommend something else too. I need to rest for a while, and I can’t just drink every time, right?”
“Something else…… Hmm.”
Kim Jin-ah furrowed her brow.
“Well, I’ve never done anything besides drink.”
“……Pardon?”
What?
Was she like me?
“Well, studying. Organizing research materials…… Otherwise, beer fills the rest of my time. Haven’t even had time for that lately with how busy I’ve been.”
“Whoa.”
“Ask the Dark Agent instead. That’d be faster?”
“……”
Kim Jin-ah and I turned to Gi So-yul.
She blinked in confusion.
“Me……?”
“Yes, you.”
I nodded, and she shrugged, holding up her dagger.
“I only train……”
Wow.
This……
Was a total disaster.
* * *
Leaving Kim Jin-ah and Gi So-yul behind, I arrived where the Druid and Asura were.
Druid Kwon So-ye had climbed to ranking 856 this time.
Asura Im Soo-jin had hit 901.
Oh, and for reference.
Iron Fist, once a high ranker, was now at 550.
After that incident.
Having completely shed his greed and pleasure, he was apparently in near-total seclusion to reclaim his past glory.
“Hmm, resting, you say.”
Kwon So-ye smiled brightly.
“There’s tons, Guild Master. Tennis, golf—oh, it’s winter now, so skiing works too. Fishing’s an option. Or head to a hot spot, take photos. Someone like you could easily travel abroad, right? Hmm…… Cultural stuff like plays or movies would be great too. Or games? VR’s amazing these days. Try finding a hobby.”
Tatata……!
The flood of info overwhelmed me the moment I asked.
Wow.
So many things existed?
“Oh, right. <Doppelganger> and <Owl> just came out and are supposed to be good. How about starting with those? Want me to book tickets?”
“……Would you?”
I nodded blankly.
Movies?
What were those?
I’d never seen one in my life.
Yeah.
Time to experience it all.
Wisdom deepens through diverse experiences, they say.
* * *
Uiwang City, Baekun Lake.
The undeveloped area behind it.
Stab!
Demir plunged his shovel into the dirt.
“This spot?”
“Yes, exactly from here~ to there.”
Kim Jin-ah nodded, gesturing to outline the site.
“I’d love something that symbolizes Starhaven.”
“Hmm, something symbolizing Starhaven. Sounds fun.”
Demir grinned.
Creating things and expressing them artistically was what the rock clan loved most.
“The goal is a portal site in the center, overlooking the lake, right?”
“Yes, plus a shop and gallery exclusive to your workshop, and an auction house.”
“Great idea.”
Snap!
Demir snapped his fingers.
Ssssh! Ssssh! And ten of his subordinates appeared.
Short dwarf skeletons, but all lord-grade.
“Everyone ready! The city isn’t fully done, but this’ll be fun.”
“We’re doing this place simultaneously too, Demir?”
Ssssh!
At his side appeared a skeleton with long ears.
Moonlight Eldrin, once queen of the forest clan.
Now accustomed to polymorph, her golden hair shimmered with beauty.
The muscular Demir grinned.
“Yep. The workshop in Apgujeong got wrecked anyway. Need to rebuild the store ASAP.”
“I see.”
As Eldrin nodded, Demir continued.
“Plus, lots of trees here. Planning to blend with the forest like our paradise city.”
“Then I can help.”
“Exactly. Gotta prepare sacrifices and cast spells. Special security this time too.”
The new site was ultimately for security.
A defense strong enough to withstand invasions even without Joo Dong-hoon.
“As long as the sacrifices are worthwhile, no issue.”
“Planning S-rank items.”
“Oho, how many?”
“Five to ten?”
Demir could now produce S-rank weapons, accessories, armor himself.
It drained stamina and time, but what couldn’t he do with enchantments?
“That’ll suffice.”
Eldrin smiled sweetly.
“Let’s get to it.”
“Kraha! Good!”
Demir laughed heartily.
Then eyed his subordinates.
“Kids, I asked if you’re ready!”
“Yes, Lord Demir!”
“Mineral status?!”
“Overflowing since His Imperial Majesty visited!”
The land Joo Dong-hoon stayed on always brimmed with minerals.
“Then, good! Grab your hammers!”
Starhaven’s symbol was its master!
Inspiration struck Demir.
Something that could only represent the master.
* * *
A theater in Samseong-dong.
At my request, Kwon So-ye booked six tickets.
Couldn’t do culture alone, right?
I lead skeletons.
Wanted Earth’s culture shared with these absolute beings from other worlds too.
So.
“Look at that kid’s skin. So pale. Exotic looks, but why so pretty? An idol?”
“The woman next to her is insane too? Somehow…… super holy vibe? Like, if there was a noble saintess from the Middle Ages, she’d look like that.”
“Guys are nuts too. Muscles and builds like hunters? Could pass for S-rank or rankers just by looks.”
“……Not high rankers, though? All unfamiliar faces.”
“Crazy, high rankers would cause a riot here already.”
That was the result.
Even with my mask.
Couldn’t stop the whispers.
Our absolutes’ polymorph forms were all stunning.
“Let’s go, everyone……”
I muttered, mask pulled low.
Me, Sun, Arin, Kaden, Dana, Mugak wandered, looking around.
Invited Eldrin and Demir too.
But they had work.
Building and creating was their rest, so I let them.
I wouldn’t like being told to rest mid-training either.
“Whew.”
I sighed, having taken three wrong turns already.
‘Well.’
You don’t know till you try.
Finding tickets, entering— all digital, not analog. Hard to adapt.
“Professor! That way, I think! People are pressing something there!”
Without quick-adapting Arin, it’d have been brutal.
“Haha, good job, Arin. Smart girl.”
I ruffled her hair, and we watched the movies.
Not bad.
<Doppelganger> let us appreciate another world’s nature; Sun gasped throughout, giving me trouble.
Movie theaters: no talking, basic etiquette from the intro.
Still.
After a few times, I unsummoned him for 10 minutes.
He watched quietly like a mute after.
<Owl> had a wild plot.
Twists on twists on twists—we all dove in deep.
‘Ahh.’
This is resting.
This is culture. Wandering, feeling it.
“Professor! What’s this? Wow, pretty!”
Shopped with Arin, an absolute who’d died without a proper girlhood.
“Master, what’s that? People hit that machine hard, claiming strength…… All weaklings.”
Skipped punching machine with Mugak.
No need to indulge, and breaking it would trouble the owner……
Enjoying a full date with my subordinates like that.
Rustle rustle.
Suddenly, a huge commotion nearby.
“Hm?”
Pure Heavenly Heart sent a signal.
Instinct warned.
Someone with hostility approaching.
At the same time.
“Th-the Spear King!”
“Spear King? World rank 10? Ah, no—11 now?”
“What brings Spear King to Korea?”
“He’s got his spear! Ru-run!”
Ah.
Knew from the crowd.
Who harbored hostility toward me.
‘That guy.’
After finishing Delaila’s trial.
The Chinese elder I’d clashed with.
Judgment Spear’s master.
‘Something about Plum Blossom Spear being higher than Solar Spear?’
The murmuring crowd parted like the Red Sea.
Yielding to the Spear King’s intense presence.
And where his gaze landed.
‘Me.’
He knew exactly where I was.