Chapter 128: Temporary Joining
Chapter 128: Temporary Joining
“You seem to be sighing a lot more these days.”
As I rolled my eyes and played coy, Ko Yeonju gave a faint smile and nodded.
“Well, my head has been a bit of a mess.”
“When your head’s a mess, resting is the best medicine. Why don’t you put work aside for a bit and get a change of pace?”
“Oh my, is this a date proposal? You never budged no matter how much I tried to tempt you before.”
We had, at some point, switched back to speaking formally to each other. It was a sign that we should wrap up the idle chatter and get to the point. In other words, Ko Yeonju had more or less grasped the intention behind my words. I tapped her forehead for a moment (at which she furrowed her brow slightly) before answering in a calm voice.
“Haha. In a way, it is a date proposal. I’m planning to go on another expedition outside the city next month. How about we hold hands and go together? I know a good spot.”
Ko Yeonju let out a dry laugh at my words and shook her head.
“…So, for User Kim Soohyun, a ‘date’ is holding hands and smiling while swinging a sword at monsters?”
“It’s better than moping around, cooped up in an inn.”
“I don’t know why I even bother. How long are you thinking?”
“Three weeks.”
My clear answer left Ko Yeonju with a blank expression, which soon sharpened as she narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“…Are you trying to bankrupt my inn? Do you have any idea how much money I spent building this place?”
“It’s already bankrupt, isn’t it? Besides us, hardly any other Users come here.”
“…Tch.”
Left speechless by my blunt remark, she pouted and turned her head away. As an aside, she was still using my lap as a pillow. It was rather uncomfortable every time she shifted her head this way and that. I turned her head back toward me and continued.
“I told you, I know a good spot. Don’t worry too much. It’ll be far more profitable than running this inn for three weeks.”
“Hah. I suppose you’re planning on discovering another dungeon.”
To her grumbling, I replied with a perfectly straight face.
“Oh. How did you know?”
“……”
Ko Yeonju stared at me, at a complete loss for words.
*
After finishing my morning meditation and a quick wash, I came out to find the inn in a complete uproar. The others, who should have been sleeping soundly at this hour, were all awake and gathered on the first floor with anxious faces. As I trudged down the stairs, I saw all their eyes turn to me.
“O-Orabeoni.”
“Yes, Sol. What’s wrong?”
“It’s a disaster! The inn is closing down!”
“…Pfft.”
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at Ahn Sol’s words.
While Ahn Hyun and Yoojung looked quite disheveled, Ahn Sol was relatively neat. It seemed she had woken up early for once, come downstairs, and been shocked by what Ko Yeonju was doing. She must have then rushed to wake everyone else up. And since I wasn't around, she must have settled for the next best thing and woken the others. Her actions were so easy to picture that I just scratched my head and casually took a seat.
“Ah… damn it. Oppa, did you hear anything from the innkeeper?”
Yoojung plopped down next to me with bleary eyes. She seemed to be in a foul mood from being forcibly woken up. When I didn’t answer, she leaned her head lightly against my shoulder. As I gently stroked her hair, I saw her expression soften a little.
Ahn Hyun was just turning his head this way and that with a dazed look, while Ahn Sol was fidgeting anxiously. (It never occurred to me that the reason for her anxiety might have been Yoojung leaning on my shoulder.)
Hayeon and Shin Sangyong sat quietly at the table. They seemed to have some inkling of what was going on after last night’s events.
Soon, the inn door creaked open, and a familiar User appeared. Ko Yeonju firmly closed the door behind her and walked over to me. As she stood silently before me, I spoke in a smooth voice.
“You’re up and about bright and early.”
“Yes, thanks to a certain someone. So petty… Ugh. Anyway, they say to strike while the iron is hot. And things have been getting a little tedious lately. So it’s a good opportunity.”
She was probably calling me petty for how I’d leveraged her life debt in our final negotiations last night. Her words were laced with barbs, but I just shrugged and continued.
“You should have told us in advance, then. Please refund us for the remaining days.”
At my words, Ko Yeonju bit her lip and shot me a sharp glare.
“Hmph. Looks like your party is all here, so let’s just have breakfast. What will you have?”
“Same as always. Course A for seven.”
“Course A for eight. What, do I not get to eat?”
She poked me once in the chest before heading into the kitchen. The others, who had been listening to our conversation, looked on with question marks floating above their heads, completely clueless. Shin Sangyong, however, wore a serious expression and spoke to me in a low voice.
“Leader.”
“Yes.”
“You seem to be very resourceful.”
“Haha…”
As I let out a weak laugh, Hayeon, who had been uncertain until now, covered her mouth with one hand in shock.
“Soohyun-ssi… Don’t tell me you…”
“No. We made a deal.”
“A deal?” Hayeon asked, her face full of suspicion. I nodded once and gestured for the others, who were still standing, to sit down. Ahn Hyun, who had been tilting his head blankly, and Ahn Sol, who had been glaring at Yoojung, quickly took their seats at my signal.
“I can’t tell you the specific details of the deal yet. However, she has agreed to close the inn for at least three weeks. The official reason is that business is slow.”
My party members all nodded in understanding. It was true that, even to them, the inn had been empty of Users lately. I continued.
“And during that time, she has agreed to act as a member of our caravan. As a Year 5 User, I believe she will be a great asset. That’s the simple version for now, but we can discuss the details when she returns. Any questions?”
Vivian immediately shot her hand up. I nodded, giving her permission to speak.
“Kim Soohyun. I’m sure you had your reasons for accepting her, but I have one concern.”
“What concern?”
When I asked, Vivian glanced around at the others before continuing.
“You said for at least three weeks. Does that mean you might take that User on our next expedition?”
“That’s likely.”
“But even if she’s a Year 5 User, can she really fit in with our caravan? She’s just some innkeeper… Honestly, I’m a little worried.”
Hayeon and Shin Sangyong both smiled at Vivian’s words. However, Vivian’s concern wasn’t entirely baseless. Although she had adapted to the modern Hall Plain after becoming human, she sometimes confused it with the Hall Plain of ancient times.
I clicked my tongue and addressed everyone.
“Sigh. Vivian.”
“Yeah.”
“If you can last more than ten minutes against that woman, I’ll never bother you again.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
“What?”
“Huh.”
Vivian, Ahn Sol, Yoojung, and Ahn Hyun all exclaimed in succession. Even with Hayeon’s arrival, Vivian was, without a doubt, still the second-in-command of the caravan. Of course, her usual dazed personality didn’t exude the aura of a second-in-command, but the moment an expedition began, she always demonstrated her skills without fail.
So they all seemed shocked that I had judged the innkeeper to be superior to Vivian.
In truth, Vivian was highly capable, but she was no match for Ko Yeonju, who stood among the Ten Strong. Even if Vivian summoned the First Legion, reputed to be her strongest, Ko Yeonju possessed the Special Ability Abyssal Host. It was doubtful that she would even allow Vivian enough time to summon a high-ranking legion.
In any case, if Ko Yeonju and Vivian were to fight, it would end in Ko Yeonju’s overwhelming victory. That’s why I spoke with a voice full of confidence.
“I’ll vouch for her skills. What do you say, Vivian?”
At my words, Vivian’s face turned bright red. She lowered her head and replied.
“N-No, I don’t want that.”
“Hmm?”
“I… I said I don’t want that.”
“Alright. Next question?”
I quickly changed the subject in response to Vivian’s refusal, which held a dangerous undertone. I hoped the others hadn’t heard anything. Fortunately, Yoojung was muttering to herself, “Right… she was definitely strange back then…,” likely recalling the day we first arrived in Mule. Ahn Hyun and Ahn Sol were just staring at each other blankly, and Shin Sangyong kept turning his head, wondering when Ko Yeonju would return. Only Hayeon had her eyes closed, making it impossible to know what she was thinking.
I, too, was somewhat surprised by Ko Yeonju’s actions. I thought it would take some time even after we talked, but she had a surprisingly decisive side to her. Ah, maybe calling it a surprise is a bit much.
Just then, I heard the sound of Ko Yeonju pushing a cart out from the kitchen. Ahn Hyun finally seemed to snap out of it, his eyes widening as he quickly rose from his chair.
“H-Hyung. I’m going to wash up.”
“Why don’t you eat first?”
“N-No, it’s fine. I’ll be right back.”
Ahn Hyun rushed up the stairs without even waiting for my reply. I shook my head at his unprecedented speed and waited for breakfast in a refreshed mood.
Soon, Ko Yeonju pushed the cart right up to our table. After calmly setting out the food, she took a seat in the empty chair. She glanced around at the party with an indifferent expression, her eyes eventually landing on Ahn Sol, who was sneaking glances at her.
“Hello, little one. Where’s your brother?”
“He… went to… wash up for a moment…”
When Ahn Sol answered hesitantly, Ko Yeonju leaned in closer as if she couldn’t hear.
“Hm? What was that? Could you speak a little louder?”
“Hmph…”
As expected, the painfully shy Ahn Sol pouted and looked to me for help. Yoojung sighed at the sight of her and spoke up immediately.
“He went to wash up.”
“Aha… how cute. Anyway, User Kim Soohyun. Have you already told them about me?”
“To some extent. Would you like to handle the rest yourself now?”
“They’ll find out naturally as we spend time together. I’ll talk to them later after the meal when everyone’s gathered. For now, let’s eat. It tastes best when it’s warm.”
Ko Yeonju shook her head at my suggestion. She certainly seemed much calmer compared to yesterday. She was dressed modestly again, and her expression was as gentle as usual.
Despite Ko Yeonju’s kind invitation to eat, no one picked up their utensils. When she looked around with a curious expression, the entire party was just staring at my face.
I sighed, picked up my spoon, and lightly took a spoonful of soup. Only after I had taken a bite did the others begin to eat. Seeing this, Ko Yeonju also began her meal nonchalantly, but the twitching at the corner of her mouth made it clear she was holding back laughter. I vowed to put an end to this bad custom (?) soon and shot a resentful glance at Yoojung. (She was the main culprit who had started it.)
A little while later, the sound of Ahn Hyun clattering down the stairs echoed from above. His face was still wet, as if he had just hastily splashed some water on it. The sound of his hurried descent gradually slowed on the first floor, and soon, the sound of measured footsteps echoed through the lobby.
Ahn Hyun walked past the lobby to our table. Upon seeing Ko Yeonju, he put on a surprised expression as if he had just noticed her. He immediately spoke in a polite voice.
“Oh. You’re joining us for a meal today.”
“Yes. It just worked out that way.”
When Ko Yeonju replied with a pretty smile, Ahn Hyun bowed his head slightly and continued.
“It’s an honor to meet you like this. I am Ahn Hyun, a Year 0 User. My class… well, I use a spear.”
Ahn Hyun’s face was filled with pride. Yoojung, who was in the middle of scooping some stew, made a disgusted face, while Ahn Sol, despite him being her brother, was clearly trying to pretend she didn’t know him. Finding everyone’s reactions amusing, Ko Yeonju covered her mouth and giggled before replying in a languid tone.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ko Yeonju, a Year 5 User. My class is… Shadow Queen.”
“Ah, is that so…”
“Pfft!”
At that moment, Ahn Sol, who had been drinking water, violently spat out everything in her mouth.
I don’t know where she heard it, but as expected of the top student, Ahn Sol knew.