Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Constellation Gallery EP.39
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Stocking up on food, catching a few more Crutflers, and heading back to the nursery.
I kept mulling over how to use the 'Crutfler's Rune Stone,' thinking it through again and again.
I'd already come up with the basic way to use it.
'But is this really the best way?'
I was flipping through the Constellation Gallery, wondering if there might be another method, searching for more info.
But posts that had nothing to do with what I wanted kept catching my eye.
...
...Tailed again?
I kept walking naturally.
At the same time, I spoke in a voice low enough for only the group to hear.
"Don't make it obvious. Keep walking naturally and listen up. We're passing right by the nursery like this. Someone's tailing us. So for now, just do what I say."
Dohan and Harin looked confused but followed my lead.
'Tailing us all the way here...'
They're probably trying to figure out our base.
Going straight like this will expose the nursery.
'Gotta change course and shake 'em...'
That's when kids' voices came from the nursery in the distance.
"Big bro!"
"See? I told you it was big bro coming!"
...Damn it.
Worst timing possible.
I was planning to throw off the tail with some confusion and give a warning so they wouldn't follow.
The nursery was already in sight.
And with the kids rushing out the door, they'd definitely clocked it as our base.
'No choice now. Reverse tail and kill 'em?'
I scanned the surroundings.
But I couldn't pinpoint where the tail was.
They probably bolted the second they spotted the nursery.
"Big bro, what're you doing? Come in!"
"Hurry up!"
Under the kids' urging, Dohan checked my expression.
Probably asking what to do.
"...Let's head in for now."
Only after I gave the okay did they step inside.
I immediately called out to Kang Harin.
"On the way back, did you feel any weird presence?"
She blinked, then nodded.
"Oh, yeah I did!"
"Keep it down."
Harin quickly lowered her voice.
"Yeah, but why?"
"I told you. Someone's tailing us. If my guess is right, it's those shelter guys."
"Oh..."
Her reaction made me narrow my eyes.
"But why didn't you say anything?"
"...Huh?"
"About feeling that weird presence. You should've said something right away if you felt it."
As I pressed her, the Constellation Gallery was buzzing about my intent.
While they interpreted it however they wanted.
Harin thought for a moment, then spoke with a sheepish look.
"Sorry. But I didn't realize that was it."
"...What?"
"That ominous energy... It only clicked after you mentioned it, like 'Oh, that was a presence.' Hard to explain in words."
I swallowed a sigh.
'Raising Intelligence doesn't boost actual smarts, huh.'
Right now, Kang Harin's Intelligence level was probably higher than Tulip's or mine.
Yet she couldn't make the obvious inference even I could... Yeah, Intelligence and actual IQ are separate.
So I couldn't blame Harin.
No point blaming her anyway—it already happened.
"Got it. Let's rest a bit, then get back to fixing up the nursery."
"Oh, I'll do it right now! No need to rest!"
Harin lit up, like she wanted to make up for it.
"If my words came off blaming you, don't take it that way. Brush it off."
"Ah! Of course!"
Even as she said that, she'd feel guilty anyway.
She'd try even harder to prove her worth.
That's just who she was.
'More importantly, now we gotta prepare.'
Meanwhile, Tulip was eyeing me cautiously from the side.
"What. Got something to say?"
"No. Heard the kids making a fuss, figured you'd come back so I came to greet you, but vibe was off to interrupt."
"No big deal. Nothing happen here?"
"Nope! But saying 'here' means something did happen to you?"
That's why sharp kids are...
I filled Tulip in on the situation.
"Kinda creepy. Should've gone with you for the food."
"That's why we're setting night watch again tonight."
"Ah! Want me to teach Dohan oppa?"
"Nah, gonna teach the kid myself."
Dohan was different from Tulip position-wise.
Before making him a party member, raise him to handle battles as party leader someday.
So couldn't just teach basic functions.
Dangers of strangers, party roles, stat roles, what happens when you hunt monsters.
Too many and difficulty spikes, too few and they upgrade over time, rapid party growth risks disasters.
How I navigated it, party members' roles, shop items, gold's value, tips for picking Constellations.
Dohan took diligent notes on everything I said.
"Got it?"
"No."
"Ha..."
His blunt answer drew a reflexive sigh.
Still, his eyes sparkled.
"But I wrote it all down, so with more experience and study, I'll get it quick."
"Not understanding before you die is the problem, you know."
"Ah, yeah, gotta learn fast."
"Yeah. But one thing to watch."
My warning made Dohan gulp.
"Some curse or something?"
"Nah. Never spill info easily to others. Especially awakening. Shop. Status window. All of it. Make the kids zip it too."
"Ah, got it."
"Once you're system-pro, burn those notes. No records."
"Understood."
"But my words don't sound like jokes, huh."
"'Cause you've shown me."
I chuckled.
Then summoned the 'Crutfler's Rune Stone' and handed it to him.
"Said you got gold from the finishing blow, right?"
"Yeah. Proof of awakening."
"Right. Awakened, so you can use this too."
"Ah, this is that..."
"Yeah. Item from killing those. Explanation says solo hogging's pointless."
"Next ones to the kids then."
"Smart kid."
Dohan rolled the rune stone in his hand and asked.
"Just sincerely think 'use it' and it works, right?"
"Yeah. Try it."
The Constellation Gallery was flooded with question marks.
Ah, hold up.
Potion without pain?
Why tell me that now!
'Fuck... Gave it already, can't take back.'
Dohan, oblivious, gripped the rune stone tight.
A faint light bloomed from it, crumbling to dust silently. At the same time, a subtle blue aura swirled around him.
It was over in a flash.
"Huh...? Did it work?"
Dohan patted himself down in confusion.
"Check your stats."
"Okay. But why's your face suddenly..."
"Hm? What's with my face."
"Kinda bittersweet."
"Your imagination. Check stats."
Dohan's gaze shifted to the air.
Then he reached out, fiddling with nothing.
"Vitality level went up to 10."
"Applied well. Best at level 1 unraised— you got max value."
Dohan looked up at me with an awkward smile.
Then bowed his head.
"Thanks! But is it okay for me to just take this."
I stared at him like he was an idiot.
"Ask after using it? Ungrateful brat?"
"Ah!"
Dohan flailed in panic.
Looked like it hadn't crossed his mind.
I chuckled and shrugged.
"It's fine. Not just giving it free."
"Huh?"
Dohan eyed me puzzled.
I tossed out flatly:
"You'll pull night watch too."
"Ah..."
Anyway, fuck, fuck, fuck.
Don't regret. Don't regret.
They'd struggle to survive without it.
Minimal investment.
'Trying to cope but still sucks.'
Now that it's done, guild creation or something?
If guild master can invite party leader under as sub, with those functions...
"...?"