Chapter 442: Giant Step (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 442: Giant Step (4)
When I opened my eyes again, it was the middle of the night. Deciding there was no point in waking up now, I went back to sleep. Which was why I thought I only slept for a total of two days.
"I slept for three days?"
I thought Amelia was joking at first. I was still exhausted despite sleeping three days straight. To be honest, I actually forced myself to get up today even though I could have slept more.
But it's really been three days?
"Still, I'm glad you woke up now. I was going to force you awake if you didn't wake up today. I'm sick of the elf making a fuss."
"...So where's Erwen?"
"Out."
"Out?"
"She said she was going to her holy land. It seems things aren't wrapping up there as easily as she thought they would."
The context was missing from her sentence, but I knew what she was talking about. This must have been about Erwen leaving the elves' special forces unit and her role as Pureblood. Since Erwen had received considerable support from the elves while I was away, she'd have to make a lot of sacrifices to become a free elf again. A prime example would be the Sacred Bow. If not that, then the funds used to purchase this mansion, which she blackmailed from them by holding said Sacred Bow hostage.
Well, the real problem is the Pureblood part itself.
The elven role of Pureblood was a kind of race secret. Only one person could inherit the title at a time, and the successor's Natural Power skyrocketed. That was the entire reason why Erwen had been able to make a contract with the Elemental Ruler in the first place.
I should solve this problem ASAP. It doesn't make sense to let Erwen handle it alone.
The time I spent sleeping suddenly felt like a waste. Although it hadn't even been a month since I got back from Ice Rock, this was no time to rest.
Growl!
"...There's food in the kitchen, you should go get some."
Yeah, wait, let's eat first.
***
After filling my stomach following three days of starvation, the first thing I did was parse through what I'd learned about Baekho, the GM, Hyeonbyeol, Ragna, Auril Gavis, and the numerous other pieces of information I'd obtained from the Round Table. I excused myself from Amelia and holed myself up in my room for a while to gather my thoughts.
Ha... my head's actually going to explode.
I felt like I was back to being a student just before the start of term. I had a load of homework I needed to catch up on, but I didn't know what to tackle first. So I decided to rank everything in order of priority, like I did when playing a game. What needed my immediate attention?
It's easier now that I've organized it all like a quest.
After assigning forced rankings, my head felt clearer.
So, the quest I need to fulfill today is... finish creating the clan.
"Amelia, how did it go establishing the clan?"
"They finished reviewing the documents yesterday, so all you have to do is go in person and put your name on the list."
I had considered reviving my old clan for a while. But since it was disbanded after I was presumed dead, the administrative process to reinstate it would be too complicated, so we decided to just create a new one instead. This was slightly disappointing. Being an older clan came with a lot of advantages.
Well, I guess I can use my noble title to compensate for that in the future.
Negotiating with the guild, at least, was something I was confident about. I changed my clothes and was about to leave to tackle today's to-do list when Amelia followed me, her jacket already on.
"You want to come?"
"I think that's for the best. Since I handled most of the paperwork."
True, if we went together, there was less of a chance we'd miss anything. Raven normally took on this role.
It'll take a long while before we can get that girl out of the military.
Of course, that didn't mean I'd given up. What was most important was what Raven wanted, though.
"Wait."
"Huh?"
"Use this. If you go out like that, there'll be a big fuss."
"Ah..." I put on the iron helmet Amelia passed me and headed out the door.
"It's been a while since we headed out together like this," Amelia commented.
Hmm, has it?
Well, now that I thought about it, the last time was when we went to the art gallery to buy the essence of Vol-Herchan at the auction. After returning to the present, we weren't in a position to roam around freely.
"Oh, there it is."
Because the mansion itself was located in the city center, it didn't take long to walk to the nearest branch of the guild. We took a number and waited like the other adventurers. When our turn came, we presented our IDs.
"B-B-B-Bjo... ah—!"
We were led to a private reception area on the second floor by a member of staff who started hyperventilating as soon as they saw my ID. The branch manager came running and completed the remaining administrative procedures for us. It felt weird.
Captain, Bjorn Yandel
Vice Captain, Vacant
Member, Vacant
Member, Emily Raines
Member, Ainar Fenelin
Member, Auyen Rockrobe
This was the minimum number of people required to create a clan. For reference, Erwen couldn't join right now because we hadn't yet dealt with the problem of her leaving the Purebloods.
"P-Please visit again soon!"
After a warm reception and farewell from the branch manager, we left the guild and headed to a nearby restaurant. Considering I hadn't eaten for three days, I was already starving again.
"Amelia."
"It's Emily out here."
Ah, right. I'm too hungry to think straight.
"So, what did you want to say to me?"
"Oh, nothing special. I'm just curious. Why did you tell me to leave the spot for the first member blank?" I did as she advised, but I hadn't gotten an explanation yet. So, why?
"At times, impatience can make things fall apart."
"...Huh?"
"While she's busy withdrawing her title as a Pureblood, tell her you left the position empty on purpose. That will calm that elf down."
"Uh..." What was I hearing right now? "...You left it open for Erwen?"
Amelia averted her eyes, looking somewhat embarrassed. "...She seemed upset," she muttered before changing the subject. "Anyway, the clan name."
Well, I guess I can use my noble title to compensate for that in the future.
Negotiating with the guild, at least, was something I was confident about. I changed my clothes and was about to leave to tackle today's to-do list when Amelia followed me, her jacket already on.
"You want to come?"
"I think that's for the best. Since I handled most of the paperwork."
True, if we went together, there was less of a chance we'd miss anything. Raven normally took on this role.
It'll take a long while before we can get that girl out of the military.
Of course, that didn't mean I'd given up. What was most important was what Raven wanted, though.
"Wait."
"Huh?"
"Use this. If you go out like that, there'll be a big fuss."
"Ah..." I put on the iron helmet Amelia passed me and headed out the door.
"It's been a while since we headed out together like this," Amelia commented.
Hmm, has it?
Well, now that I thought about it, the last time was when we went to the art gallery to buy the essence of Vol-Herchan at the auction. After returning to the present, we weren't in a position to roam around freely.
"Oh, there it is."
Because the mansion itself was located in the city center, it didn't take long to walk to the nearest branch of the guild. We took a number and waited like the other adventurers. When our turn came, we presented our IDs.
"B-B-B-Bjo... ah—!"
We were led to a private reception area on the second floor by a member of staff who started hyperventilating as soon as they saw my ID. The branch manager came running and completed the remaining administrative procedures for us. It felt weird.
Captain, Bjorn Yandel
Vice Captain, Vacant
Member, Vacant
Member, Emily Raines
Member, Ainar Fenelin
Member, Auyen Rockrobe
This was the minimum number of people required to create a clan. For reference, Erwen couldn't join right now because we hadn't yet dealt with the problem of her leaving the Purebloods.
"P-Please visit again soon!"
After a warm reception and farewell from the branch manager, we left the guild and headed to a nearby restaurant. Considering I hadn't eaten for three days, I was already starving again.
"Amelia."
"It's Emily out here."
Ah, right. I'm too hungry to think straight.
"So, what did you want to say to me?"
"Oh, nothing special. I'm just curious. Why did you tell me to leave the spot for the first member blank?" I did as she advised, but I hadn't gotten an explanation yet. So, why?
"At times, impatience can make things fall apart."
"...Huh?"
"While she's busy withdrawing her title as a Pureblood, tell her you left the position empty on purpose. That will calm that elf down."
"Uh..." What was I hearing right now? "...You left it open for Erwen?"
Amelia averted her eyes, looking somewhat embarrassed. "...She seemed upset," she muttered before changing the subject. "Anyway, the clan name."
"Huh?"
"Is there a reason you named it that? From what I can remember, that's a well-known ancient word meaning 'a group of wild beasts.'"
So, you assumed it was an ancient word as soon as you heard it too. Then I guess I've succeeded?
After a moment's thought, I told Amelia the truth, leaning in close so that no one could overhear. "It's actually not the ancient tongue. It's Korean."
When I whispered in her ear, Amelia shuddered. "Korean?" she whispered. "Are you saying it's from your home country?"
"Yeah." I nodded and told her the meaning while I was at it. "It's a word that captures the spirit of working together with one heart and one mind toward a better future."
"...Oh?"
"That's what 'anabada' means: reduce, reuse, recycle."
That was also going to be our clan's creed for the time being, as, given the corner we had been driven into, we couldn't afford to do anything else.
***
After the meal, Amelia left because she had some business to take care of. It was obvious where she was going. She was probably headed to her sister's workplace to sneak a peek at her again, unable to bring herself to even speak with her.
Well, if she's satisfied with that, it's not like I can say anything.
My quest for today was over, but I walked somewhere else instead of home. There was something I wanted to do myself.
Jingle!
When I opened the shop door and entered, I saw a reasonably full restaurant. The tavern sold food during the day and drinks at night, with an inn on the second floor.
"Welcome! Are you here alone?" When I stepped through the door, a young waitress in her twenties led me to a table with a bright smile. "What can I get for you?"
"Something with a lot of meat, please. I'm hungry from walking here."
"Sure, wait just a—"
"Wait, is the owner not here today?"
"Ah, the priest told her that she needs to start being careful. She doesn't come in these days."
...Is she sick?
I was a little worried about that, but I decided to correct the misunderstanding first. "I was asking about the male owner."
"Ah! Mr. Urikfried will be coming in soon. Probably in about thirty minutes? He's always all over the place, though, so don't quote me on that!"
Okay, then I'll get to see him if I wait for a while.
"Thanks for letting me know."
I tipped the waitress for taking up her time and then sat at a table to kill time. I had finished my first serving and just ordered a new one when the door opened and the person I'd been waiting for arrived.
Jingle!
"You're here, Mr. Urikfried!"
"Yes, did anything happen?"
"Your friend is here."
"...Friend?" Mr. Bear turned around to scan the shop and froze as soon as his eyes met mine. It seemed he realized what was going on here. "Myla, don't accept any more customers from here on out. And send away the customers here as soon as they're done eating."
"Sorry?"
"Ah, and after you send them all off, you and the chef can go home."
"Ehh?"
"Huh?"
"Is there a reason you named it that? From what I can remember, that's a well-known ancient word meaning 'a group of wild beasts.'"
So, you assumed it was an ancient word as soon as you heard it too. Then I guess I've succeeded?
After a moment's thought, I told Amelia the truth, leaning in close so that no one could overhear. "It's actually not the ancient tongue. It's Korean."
When I whispered in her ear, Amelia shuddered. "Korean?" she whispered. "Are you saying it's from your home country?"
"Yeah." I nodded and told her the meaning while I was at it. "It's a word that captures the spirit of working together with one heart and one mind toward a better future."
"...Oh?"
"That's what 'anabada' means: reduce, reuse, recycle."
That was also going to be our clan's creed for the time being, as, given the corner we had been driven into, we couldn't afford to do anything else.
***
After the meal, Amelia left because she had some business to take care of. It was obvious where she was going. She was probably headed to her sister's workplace to sneak a peek at her again, unable to bring herself to even speak with her.
Well, if she's satisfied with that, it's not like I can say anything.
My quest for today was over, but I walked somewhere else instead of home. There was something I wanted to do myself.
Jingle!
When I opened the shop door and entered, I saw a reasonably full restaurant. The tavern sold food during the day and drinks at night, with an inn on the second floor.
"Welcome! Are you here alone?" When I stepped through the door, a young waitress in her twenties led me to a table with a bright smile. "What can I get for you?"
"Something with a lot of meat, please. I'm hungry from walking here."
"Sure, wait just a—"
"Wait, is the owner not here today?"
"Ah, the priest told her that she needs to start being careful. She doesn't come in these days."
...Is she sick?
I was a little worried about that, but I decided to correct the misunderstanding first. "I was asking about the male owner."
"Ah! Mr. Urikfried will be coming in soon. Probably in about thirty minutes? He's always all over the place, though, so don't quote me on that!"
Okay, then I'll get to see him if I wait for a while.
"Thanks for letting me know."
I tipped the waitress for taking up her time and then sat at a table to kill time. I had finished my first serving and just ordered a new one when the door opened and the person I'd been waiting for arrived.
Jingle!
"You're here, Mr. Urikfried!"
"Yes, did anything happen?"
"Your friend is here."
"...Friend?" Mr. Bear turned around to scan the shop and froze as soon as his eyes met mine. It seemed he realized what was going on here. "Myla, don't accept any more customers from here on out. And send away the customers here as soon as they're done eating."
"Sorry?"
"Ah, and after you send them all off, you and the chef can go home."
"Ehh?"
"If you can, don't let anyone come to my table," Mr. Bear quickly instructed the waitress before approaching me. "It's really you, then, Bjorn Yandel."
"Long time no see, Abman."
Mr. Bear stared at me for a long, quiet moment before sitting down without hesitation. There was a brief beat of silence. Mr. Bear was the first to break it.
"I heard... the news."
Yikes, why is this so awkward?
"I still don't understand what's going on, but it seems something big happened to you."
"Ah, yeah... it did..."
"Did you meet with... the others?"
"Everyone except Missha."
"So... I see..." Mr. Bear seemed to think something over for a moment before continuing. "Actually, I went to your house a few times after I heard the news. But I left since there was no sign of you coming out."
"You should've knocked. I would've let you in any time."
"I don't know, I changed my mind."
Was there some kind of hidden meaning in his words or... No, I'm sure there wasn't. Yeah, so... First off, let's set the record straight.
"Abman, I never planned to deceive you guys. The reason why I couldn't show up for two and a half years is all—"
"Stop. Bjorn, I think you misunderstood. I'm not angry at you for that. Of course, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel betrayed at all... But this has nothing to do with that." Mr. Bear cleared that up right away. Then he stole my drink, chugged it down, and took a breath. "I just didn't want to hear what the reason for your disappearance was. Because it could be linked to something dangerous. And that has nothing to do with me anymore, anyway."
It felt like something was squeezing my chest. "Nothing to do with you, huh?"
"Sorry, but I think I should make this clear before we continue: if you're here to get me back on your team, that's going to be impossible."
Was this what it meant to get dumped before even asking someone out? I was more curious than upset, though. "Sounds like you're not saying that because you love the clan you're in right now."
"Yeah, I'm not."
"Then can you tell me why?"
Mr. Bear exhaled deeply through his nose like he was suppressing a sigh. "The day we heard the news of your return... my wife pulled me aside. Very worriedly, she asked if I was going to go see you."
"I see..."
"You know something, Bjorn? Two and a half years is a really long time. Enough to change the mind of an adventurer whose dream was once to see the end of the labyrinth," Mr. Bear said solemnly. "So... my point is... I can't go back to the life I lived before. If I continue working with you, I don't think I'll get to see my children get married."
"Hm... I see..."
With that, I brushed off even the barest hints of lingering regret. No, there were no regrets to begin with. There was a reason I hadn't classified today's visit as a proper quest. I never planned to recruit him. In fact, I planned to stop myself from doing so. Think about it: how could I ask him to join a clan that might turn against the king one day? A married man with children?
"I'm sorry," said Mr. Bear.
"Don't be, let's drink." When he hesitated, I teasingly goaded him. "What? You can't drink with me if we're not going into the labyrinth together?"
"...Not at all."
Mr. Bear then picked up his glass and we spent our time chatting about trivial things as the tavern gradually emptied out and all the employees went home. The sun set and night came. We talked about the past, laughed, and sometimes got into serious debates.
"...It's late."
"It's only evening."
"My wife will be waiting."
"Then... that's too bad."
"Sorry. If my wife weren't almost due, I would've stayed a little longer."
Almost due?
My mind momentarily went blank, but it only took a second for me to process that.
So he has a second kid on the way.
This realization felt weird for some reason. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't been able to be by his side when his first child was born. He used to talk about being their godfather whenever we drank.
"It's raining. Take this. I should tidy up before I go."
"...Ah, thanks."
After exchanging a few more words, I put on the raincoat Mr. Bear offered and walked out into the street.
Tututututu.
It was pouring.
I'm not exactly sad, but...
Was it because this was the first time in a while I'd had so much to drink? The realization that two and a half years had passed by without me suddenly felt cruel. It felt like I'd missed out on something precious. But what could I do about it now? I had no choice but to accept it.
Splash, splash.
I walked down the rainy street.
Splash, splash.
Though I was concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, my drunken body still stumbled here and there. I wondered if it was because of my shaky gait that I kept thinking about the end of our conversation.
"Bjorn Yandel... Make great strides. Don't carry any regrets about a straggler like me."
Jeez, there's no such thing as stragglers in life.
"If you keep moving, I know you'll be able to go anywhere you wish."
Why does everyone treat me like I'm special?
Splash, splash.
I couldn't be sure, but I walked forward anyway, repeating my to-do list for tomorrow over and over in my head.
"If you can, don't let anyone come to my table," Mr. Bear quickly instructed the waitress before approaching me. "It's really you, then, Bjorn Yandel."
"Long time no see, Abman."
Mr. Bear stared at me for a long, quiet moment before sitting down without hesitation. There was a brief beat of silence. Mr. Bear was the first to break it.
"I heard... the news."
Yikes, why is this so awkward?
"I still don't understand what's going on, but it seems something big happened to you."
"Ah, yeah... it did..."
"Did you meet with... the others?"
"Everyone except Missha."
"So... I see..." Mr. Bear seemed to think something over for a moment before continuing. "Actually, I went to your house a few times after I heard the news. But I left since there was no sign of you coming out."
"You should've knocked. I would've let you in any time."
"I don't know, I changed my mind."
Was there some kind of hidden meaning in his words or... No, I'm sure there wasn't. Yeah, so... First off, let's set the record straight.
"Abman, I never planned to deceive you guys. The reason why I couldn't show up for two and a half years is all—"
"Stop. Bjorn, I think you misunderstood. I'm not angry at you for that. Of course, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel betrayed at all... But this has nothing to do with that." Mr. Bear cleared that up right away. Then he stole my drink, chugged it down, and took a breath. "I just didn't want to hear what the reason for your disappearance was. Because it could be linked to something dangerous. And that has nothing to do with me anymore, anyway."
It felt like something was squeezing my chest. "Nothing to do with you, huh?"
"Sorry, but I think I should make this clear before we continue: if you're here to get me back on your team, that's going to be impossible."
Was this what it meant to get dumped before even asking someone out? I was more curious than upset, though. "Sounds like you're not saying that because you love the clan you're in right now."
"Yeah, I'm not."
"Then can you tell me why?"
Mr. Bear exhaled deeply through his nose like he was suppressing a sigh. "The day we heard the news of your return... my wife pulled me aside. Very worriedly, she asked if I was going to go see you."
"I see..."
"You know something, Bjorn? Two and a half years is a really long time. Enough to change the mind of an adventurer whose dream was once to see the end of the labyrinth," Mr. Bear said solemnly. "So... my point is... I can't go back to the life I lived before. If I continue working with you, I don't think I'll get to see my children get married."
"Hm... I see..."
With that, I brushed off even the barest hints of lingering regret. No, there were no regrets to begin with. There was a reason I hadn't classified today's visit as a proper quest. I never planned to recruit him. In fact, I planned to stop myself from doing so. Think about it: how could I ask him to join a clan that might turn against the king one day? A married man with children?
"I'm sorry," said Mr. Bear.
"Don't be, let's drink." When he hesitated, I teasingly goaded him. "What? You can't drink with me if we're not going into the labyrinth together?"
"...Not at all."
Mr. Bear then picked up his glass and we spent our time chatting about trivial things as the tavern gradually emptied out and all the employees went home. The sun set and night came. We talked about the past, laughed, and sometimes got into serious debates.
"...It's late."
"It's only evening."
"My wife will be waiting."
"Then... that's too bad."
"Sorry. If my wife weren't almost due, I would've stayed a little longer."
Almost due?
My mind momentarily went blank, but it only took a second for me to process that.
So he has a second kid on the way.
This realization felt weird for some reason. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't been able to be by his side when his first child was born. He used to talk about being their godfather whenever we drank.
"It's raining. Take this. I should tidy up before I go."
"...Ah, thanks."
After exchanging a few more words, I put on the raincoat Mr. Bear offered and walked out into the street.
Tututututu.
It was pouring.
I'm not exactly sad, but...
Was it because this was the first time in a while I'd had so much to drink? The realization that two and a half years had passed by without me suddenly felt cruel. It felt like I'd missed out on something precious. But what could I do about it now? I had no choice but to accept it.
Splash, splash.
I walked down the rainy street.
Splash, splash.
Though I was concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other, my drunken body still stumbled here and there. I wondered if it was because of my shaky gait that I kept thinking about the end of our conversation.
"Bjorn Yandel... Make great strides. Don't carry any regrets about a straggler like me."
Jeez, there's no such thing as stragglers in life.
"If you keep moving, I know you'll be able to go anywhere you wish."
Why does everyone treat me like I'm special?
Splash, splash.
I couldn't be sure, but I walked forward anyway, repeating my to-do list for tomorrow over and over in my head.