Chapter 84

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 84

Chapter Title: Now They're Even Making Items Directly

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Everything wrapped up smoothly after that.

The thirteen students who had nearly turned into undead due to Soul Bind were fortunately treated by Amelia in time and survived.

But not everyone made it in the end.

More than twenty students who failed to reach the rally point—precisely, the ones Seol Yu-bin hadn't found—resisted the swarming undead horde but ultimately died.

A few among them didn't even leave behind bodies.

"...It's not your fault, sis, so you don't have to blame yourself."

I lightly patted the shoulder of Seol Yu-bin, who sat beside me with her face buried in her hands, lost in deep thought.

"You did your best. Thanks to you, 220 students came out unscathed, and the rest only sustained minor injuries thanks to the Ice Citadel Guild members."

"...Even so, if I'd just worked a bit harder on the rescues—or if I'd gone straight for the dungeon boss from the start..."

"Then more students would have died."

Well, as Seol Yu-bin said, if I'd sensed the mana overaccumulation and confirmed the multi-gates before starting rescues and just quickly taken out the dungeon's master...

It might have resulted in fewer casualties.

But more likely, while Seol Yu-bin fought Carserion and even the Dullahan, the panicked students who couldn't react to the sudden situation would have died off one by one.

Of course, even saying that, it was obvious she'd keep blaming herself, so all I could do was stay by her side until she came to terms with it herself.

"Doesn't Hyun-sol need treatment? They say Seo-rin was exposed to more demonic energy than expected and needs intensive care."

About five minutes after I sat quietly by Seol Yu-bin, waiting for her to compose herself...

Amelia, having finished treating all the students, returned and patted my shoulder as she asked.

"From what Seo-rin said, Hyun-sol was exposed to quite a bit of demonic energy too."

"Well... As I mentioned at the hospital before, I'm somewhat resistant to things like demonic energy or magi."

"Is that so? Now that you mention it, I think I remember hearing that. Got it, then keep talking!"

Seeming to pick up on the awkward atmosphere, Amelia delivered her message and left without any small talk.

I watched her retreating figure for a moment before turning back to Seol Yu-bin.

And fell into thought.

'Should I just casually ask?'

Having resolved this main story arc, I could clearly realize one thing.

Even with the Vow of Purity and Vow of No Retreat, I was still much weaker than the protagonist at this point.

Of course, nitpicking, the Vow of No Retreat hadn't activated this time for some reason, making it tougher—but even accounting for that, I was still weak.

The Vow of No Retreat only triggered in specific situations anyway.

So I'd pondered how to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grow stronger faster and more reliably right now, and I found the answer in Seol Yu-bin.

It meant taking a big risk due to memory gaps, but getting special training from the pinnacle of ice magic—who was also proficient beyond average in other magics—during the upcoming summer break.

To maximize my growth.

I thought it wasn't a bad plan, aside from the risk of her discovering I wasn't the Kang Hyun-sol she knew.

But bringing it up now felt... like bad timing.

"...Hmm."

I needlessly smacked my lips.

It was right after the battlefield cleanup, as students' conditions stabilized and sighs of relief began echoing here and there.

Yet Seol Yu-bin remained silent amid it all.

Her hands on her knees, her face as if the dead students' visages still haunted her.

A guilt-ridden expression, convinced it was her failure to save them.

'Is now the right time...? No way it is.'

Honestly, the mood was all wrong.

This person was convinced the whole incident was her fault, her mind clouded black with it...

But waiting for a better moment would mean missing the chance entirely until the end-of-term ceremony.

I finally took a short deep breath and casually opened my mouth.

"Hey, sis."

"...Yeah?"

Her eyes, as she turned, still held a subdued light.

Still, I had to say it now.

I took one last small breath and continued.

"Um... this summer break."

"......"

"If you're free... could you teach me? Magic, barriers... or even just basics. I still feel too weak."

For a moment, her shoulders trembled ever so slightly.

Thinking I'd startled her with something out of left field, I moved to add more—

"...Ah."

Seol Yu-bin's eyes slowly widened.

And her expression completely changed.

The sunken emotions vanished like someone had lit a fire under them, vitality flooding back entirely.

"Hyun-sol... wants me to teach him?"

Her voice caught slightly, as if inhaling sharply.

An incredulous look.

After a brief silence, a slow smile bloomed on Seol Yu-bin's face.

A smile like a suffocating weight had lifted from someone burdened by gloom and guilt, thanks to an unexpected word.

"Really? You'll really learn magic from me?"

"Well, outsiders slander you as average outside of ice magic, but I know how outstanding a mage you are. Of course, if you don't want to, I can ask someone else—"

"No way I'd refuse."

Her response was firm.

Not a gram of hesitation.

If anything—

"I'm so grateful. For saying that."

"...Grateful?"

"Yeah."

Seol Yu-bin added it sincerely, straight from the heart.

"That Hyun-sol asked me directly for help... it means the world to me."

"......"

"Your drive to grow stronger is admirable, and entrusting it to me is even more joyful."

She let out a very small breath.

"And... honestly, you asking me right now..."

With the faintest smile.

"It made me feel a bit better."

"...You?"

"Yeah. The guilt over those I couldn't protect... it's eased a little, somehow."

"......"

I couldn't find words.

Because—from her tone, her expression alone—I could tell.

This person was returning to the real Seol Yu-bin I knew, thanks to my one small request.

Just a simple plea for guidance.

"...Alright then."

Seol Yu-bin lifted her hands from her knees, brushed off her seat, and stood.

She bowed slightly toward me and said,

"Get ready right after the end-of-term ceremony. I'll come pick you up."

"Pick me up?"

"Yep. My mom’s been asking about you lately anyway—perfect timing!"

She grinned.

"Spend this break at our place! Like old times."

"...Got it. You look so much better smiling."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

'Damn, she's seriously stunning. More than dealing with memory gaps, I might need to worry about surviving a month-plus around her.'

With her energy fully restored, Seol Yu-bin brushed the dirt off her hips and headed toward the guild members.

More precisely, toward the parents clutching guild members and sobbing.

I watched her back for a moment, then checked the quest clear rewards.

"Tch... Feels a bit lacking somehow."

Last time, I'd accidentally skipped ahead to the 8th main quest and cleared it thanks to Choi Eun-ha, getting way more generous rewards than usual.

Maybe that's why these solid rewards didn't quite satisfy.

'Well, talk is cheap—this is plenty to be thankful for.'

I used the two D~A-Grade Item Gacha Tickets first.

"Sure."

As I answered, the tickets floating in midair glowed in different colors, forming objects.

Soon, emitting silver and coppery effects, two items dropped right in front of me.

I picked up the apparent dud first and checked its info.

"Ugh, total trash."

I'd expected it from the coppery effect, but yeah, dud of duds.

Can't even sell it.

Swallowing the bitterness, I cautiously picked up the ring beside it—estimated B-grade or higher, but giving ominous vibes again.

"......"

Why... why is my bad feeling always spot on?

I stared at the blue-glowing ring in my palm.

Is this another scheme from the Oath of Indulgence, now family-like in its meddling?

If so, why... why put me through such trials?

'No, before that—you damn thing, Seol Yu-bin's not even a heroine; she's exiting after this story arc, so why does she have an exclusive item?!'

Since I wouldn't bite, it's now fabricating nonexistent items to steal my Vow of Purity.

Witnessing the Oath of Indulgence's desperation nearly made curses spill out.

But that's that, and the item's effects are great—plus, giving it away might yield something beyond its value.

Like the 200 million won pistol from Yoon Seo-rin for free.

High chance of scoring something awesome, so...

I naturally glanced around and slipped the Crystal Core Ring into my inventory.

'Yeah, precedent set—hand it over secretly this time, no one the wiser.'

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