Chapter 108: Same Question, Different Result
Chapter 108: Same Question, Different Result
I heard her sorrowful voice. I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. It might have looked like I was composing myself, but it was all an act. After catching my breath, I began to speak in a solemn tone.
“I’ve lost people I held dear before.”
I had debated whether or not to say this, but in the end, I decided to. The chances of her recalling the User Jung Jiyeon upon hearing my words were slim. Now was the time for me to answer her question, and judging by the flow of energy from the Crystal of Truth beneath my hand, its duration was about to end.
“The grief and despair I felt then were indescribable. After that experience, and after coming to this god-forsaken Hall Plain, I remembered that time and did everything in my power to grow stronger and adapt.”
“…”
“The reason I wanted to become stronger—the reason I accepted a power that could cost me my life—was simply because I wanted to live. Ultimately, I have two goals: survival and return. I still haven’t given up hope of surviving in this Hall Plain and returning to Earth. But… returning alone would be meaningless.”
I paused and turned my head to look at the kids. I saw Ahn Hyun’s face, Ahn Sol’s face, and Lee Yoojung’s face. They were breathing softly, hanging on my every word. Of course, the precious ones in my heart weren't really them.
This was just a vague sort of trick, a play on words and sincerity. I turned my gaze back and continued.
“I want to protect those precious to me, and I don't want to let them die. I want to return to Earth with them, alive, without a single death. Even if it means I have to sacrifice myself, if I can save them, I will calmly accept that sacrifice.”
“Hyung…”
“Oppa…”
“Orabeoni…”
The light of the Crystal of Truth was faint. It continued to glow with a pale color. It had to. After all, I was thinking of my real brother, Kim Yoohyun, and Han Soyoung as I spoke. And the Crystal of Truth judged my heartfelt words as the truth.
Those were my inner thoughts, but the party members around me mistook those “precious people” for themselves. The kids who had met my gaze, in particular, wore expressions mixed with awe and fascination. Sorry, kids. But I'll make sure you never regret following me.
Jung Hayeon, Shin Sangyong, and Vivian were also staring at me with deep admiration. The Crystal of Truth had proven that my words were not just empty platitudes. With that, I had said all I wanted to say. But the crystal sphere was still active. As I realized my speech had ended faster than expected, I smacked my lips and was about to start racking my brain again.
Just then, Shin Sangyong, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.
“Hayeon-ssi. Let’s stop now.”
“Yes, yes…?”
“The questions you’ve asked so far are enough. So let’s just stop. And Leader.”
Shin Sangyong suddenly stopped talking and adjusted his posture. Then, before I could stop him, he prostrated himself, pressing his forehead to the floor. He must have done it with some force, as a sharp “thud” echoed around us.
“Leader. I’m sorry. For a moment, I doubted you. That’s why I couldn’t stop Hayeon-ssi when she brought out the Crystal of Truth. But after hearing your true feelings… I realized how foolish I was.”
“I’m glad the misunderstanding is cleared up.”
“You are the benefactor who saved my life, and you granted my request. Despite that, I couldn't erase the suspicion that had taken root in a corner of my heart. I am truly sorry.”
“I plan on making you pay dearly for what you said today after we return to Mule. Now, get up. Seeing you like this is quite irritating.”
As I spoke in a somber voice, Shin Sangyong struggled to his feet. His face was filled with regret. I turned my gaze and saw Jung Hayeon staring blankly at the scene. Starting with Shin Sangyong, she scanned the faces of everyone in the party, including mine, and her gaze paused for a moment on Vivian. In that instant, I saw a flicker of light flash through her eyes.
“Su—!”
“Kids.”
I quickly turned slightly and spoke to the kids in a gentle voice. Jung Hayeon, who had been about to speak to me, flinched and swallowed hard. She had said the previous question was her last, and the atmosphere was no longer one where she could press me further. Even the good-natured Shin Sangyong had angrily told her to stop. If she opened her mouth one more time, she would surely incur the wrath of the entire party.
The kids all fidgeted, their mouths moving but no words coming out. I spoke with a calm expression I hadn't shown Jung Hayeon.
“If you guys have anything you've been curious about, ask me now. There's still a little time left.”
At my question, Ahn Hyun and Yoojung immediately shook their heads. No. If you don't ask any questions, there will be time left. They couldn't have heard the cry in my heart, of course. The two of them spoke to me in shy tones.
“Hyung. All my questions have been answered. And I never doubted you in the first place. If anything… I'm sorry. And thank you, Hyung.”
“Me too, me too! See? I knew it. How could our Oppa ever deceive us…? Oh, my poor Oppa…”
I sighed as I watched Yoojung trail off, pouting. I figured that if worst came to worst, there was still Shin Sangyong and Vivian, so I turned my head to Ahn Sol. And she… had been staring at my face with a dazed look for a while now.
I instinctively sensed danger (?) and was about to turn my head toward Vivian.
“Um… Orabeoni…”
“Y-Yeah?”
“There’s something I want to ask you, Orabeoni…”
Don't. Just don't. I desperately wanted to say that, but she would burst into tears on the spot. Besides, the others seemed quite curious about Sol’s question, so I couldn't think of a good reason to refuse. Taking my silence as a yes, Sol finally worked up the courage to speak, squirming as she did.
“Orabeoni… what do you think of me…?”
“Cough, cough!”
Ahn Hyun, who had been listening quietly, let out a series of harsh coughs. Thinking that the inevitable had arrived, I bit my lip hard. Haha. What do I think? I think you're an immature brat who always makes me want to tease you and make you cry… But I couldn't say what I was really thinking.
“…”
Sol looked like she had mustered all her courage; her hands were clenched into tight fists, and her cheeks were flushed red. Just as I was about to open my mouth to give a vague answer, unexpected support arrived.
“What is there to think? You're an immature child who's always causing trouble with your childish behavior and bursting into tears at the drop of a hat. Why are you making Oppa uncomfortable with a question like that?”
“That's right. Soohyun looks so troubled. You should ask things like that when you're alone, or not at all. You need to learn to read the time and place.”
Yoojung and Vivian spoke one after another, their words aimed squarely at Sol. I inwardly nodded, agreeing with every word, but their tone had become sharper than necessary. In response to the two female Users’ rebuttal, Ahn Sol stuck out her lower lip.
“I-I wasn't asking you, Unnis.”
“Why you little brat…”
“Enough.”
With a low voice, I made Yoojung, who was starting to get up, sit back down. Things had almost taken a strange turn, but their timely intervention helped me overcome the crisis. With everyone’s attention on me, I spoke nonchalantly.
“Sol is a very kind and pure person. Sometimes, it's surprising just how much. And… because of that, she's not a good fit for a world like the Hall Plain. That's the truth.”
“Hee…”
“But Sol is a priestess. I've always focused on her potential, rather than seeing her as… a burden.”
“But… like the Unnis said, I'm not much help… I'm always whining… and crying…”
You know yourself well. However, I didn't let it show on my face and slowly shook my head.
“The priest class and your personality are a very good match. I've always believed you have the potential to become the greatest priestess. No, if you can just hold on to that heart of yours, you will definitely become the best priestess in the future.”
That's right. You're destined to become the Priestess of Radiance. You'll be incredibly useful then, so I'll humor you for now. I smiled faintly and lifted the crystal sphere. And the flame of the Crystal of Truth was still glowing with a faint color.
Hearing my firm answer, Ahn Sol’s face brightened noticeably, and Ahn Hyun straightened his back with an excited expression. At that moment, I checked the flame of the Crystal of Truth held in the air and saw that it was slowly dying down.
“Ah…”
I turned my head toward the gasp from in front of me. There, Jung Hayeon was staring anxiously at the Crystal of Truth in my hand. The flame, which had been steadily fading, soon shrank to a single point. Then, cracks began to form on the surface of the crystal sphere.
Crack. Craaack. Crumble….
The cracks spread across the entire surface in an instant, and soon it turned into a handful of ash that fell through the air. Jung Hayeon could only stare blankly as the crystal dust scattered down. Finally, when all the dust had dispersed, she lifted her head and gazed at me with a complex look in her eyes.
Having overcome a crisis with impeccable timing, I let out a long sigh. I immediately changed my expression from the one I had shown the kids and spoke to her in an indifferent tone.
“So… have all your questions been answered?”
“…Yes.”
It came a beat late, but I got the “yes” I was looking for. It would have been difficult to answer while touching the Crystal of Truth, but now that its duration had ended, I could come up with any number of excuses. And as it happened, there was a good excuse that the kids were all aware of.
In any case, it was a huge relief to have settled one important matter. On top of that, I had also dealt with Belphegor, that bastard who deserved to be chewed up and spat out, so today could truly be called the best of days. However, there was still one more pleasant thing left.
“Then, from this moment on, I will resume my duties as the caravan's leader.”
“Of course.”
I gave a nod at Shin Sangyong’s clear answer and got to my feet.
“We've rested longer than I expected, so it's time to get moving again. Everyone, on your feet.”
At my command, the party members all rose from their seats. Jung Hayeon let out an unreadable sigh and carefully stood up. I approached her and whispered in a suggestive voice.
“We'll settle today's matter after we return to Mule. Until then…”
“…I understand. And I'm sorry.”
After getting her confirmation, I turned away. Yoojung ran up to me, her face beaming with a more cheerful smile than ever.
“Oppa, are we going back to Mule now? If we leave now, we should get there the day after tomorrow, right?”
“No. Including today, it'll probably take about three days to get back.”
“Huh? Why?”
“It's a bit late now. And we might spend one more night at the laboratory. Just so you know.”
At my words, everyone in the party turned to me with questioning looks. I pointed outside the room and continued.
“I found a secret passage earlier when I was fighting Belphegor.”
“A secret passage?”
“Yeah. When I found him on the first floor, he was scratching at the ground like a madman. It seems there's a door somewhere in the floor that leads underground. What we have now is plenty, but you never know. There might be an even greater treasure in that secret place.”
My words made the kids’ faces light up with interest. But there was one exception: Ahn Sol. She came close to me, grabbed my collar with both hands, and clung to me tightly.
“Orabeoniii… let's just go to Mule…. I'm so worried about you… Okay?”
I gently caressed Sol's cheek. Her soft, pliable skin, still full with baby fat, rested lightly in my hand.
“It would be a shame to come all this way just to turn back. It's fine. I was planning on taking a long rest once we get back to Mule anyway.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. So for now, let's go. It's not like it'll be difficult. We've already cleared the place. Alright?”
“Okay.”
I patted the head of the obediently listening Sol and turned away. The party had already fallen into formation. After checking everyone's faces, I strode out of the room. And as I left, a deep smile formed on my lips.