Chapter 46
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Romantic Guy (5)
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Having heard Seo Yu-ju's proposal, the Incarnation Clan members began discussing among themselves again. It wasn't easy for them to just brush off her words, given how much our party had contributed.
They seemed just as eager for the necklace as we were, so the discussion dragged on.
'Of course. It's a necklace that boosts Magic Power, so it's hard to let go of.'
On this continent, gear that enhances Magic Power holds even greater value than boosts to other stats.
Magic Power is essential for everyone, regardless of whether they're in melee classes or mages.
While they were deep in discussion, Seo Yu-ju turned to me with a question.
"Um... Yun-seong."
"Yes, go ahead, Yu-ju."
"Could you tell me why you asked for the Shadow Cube? It's the first time I've seen you request something..."
'...Is she upset that I acted on my own?'
Even Seo Yu-ju might feel offended if I made decisions unilaterally. After all, she was our party leader.
Strictly speaking, demanding rewards from the other side without consulting my party members was my mistake.
"I'm sorry... I think I was too hasty. I should have checked with the party first..."
"No, no! That's not what I meant...!"
Seo Yu-ju stared at me with an expression like she couldn't find the words, looking at me as if I were frustratingly dense.
"Sigh... I'm absolutely not scolding you, Yun-seong. I was just curious."
"Oh... Well... I have an experiment coming up, and I thought it was essential for that, so I asked for it."
"Hmm... I see."
"......"
Seo Yu-ju nodded and then brought up another question.
"Ah! And I have another thing I'm curious about!"
"...?"
"How on earth did you come up with the idea to eliminate the shadows? I was really shocked! Isn't that just too amazing?"
She looked at me with sparkling eyes.
'Damn... this is too much pressure.'
It felt burdensome when everyone praised me for something anyone could think of with a little brainpower.
"Well... Do you know about the lights in hospital operating rooms back on Earth?"
"Operating room lights?"
"Yes. When doctors perform surgery, they use devices called shadowless lamps that shine light from multiple directions to prevent shadows on the surgical site."
"Uh..."
She seemed at a loss for words as the explanation got technical. I smiled, finding her reaction endearing, and continued.
"Anyway, just think of it as applying the principle of shadowless lamps."
"Wow... You're incredible. What do they call that back on Earth? Oh, right!"
"...?"
"Brain-sexy guy!"
"...Brain-sexy guy?"
"You don't know? It's shorthand for a guy whose brain is sexy."
'What the hell is that...'
It was a term I'd never heard before. Life on Earth had been too hectic and grim for me to come across it.
"Yun-seong, you're totally a brain-sexy guy! Hehe."
'Should I take that as a compliment?'
"...Thanks, Yu-ju. Haha..."
The Incarnation Clan seemed to have wrapped up their discussion, as Kim Myung-jun approached to relay the outcome.
"...How about this? We'll split the items as Seo Yu-ju suggested, but we'll take 80% of the gold instead of 70%."
He was saying they'd yield on the items but wanted more gold in return. It was a fair deal.
"Sounds good. What do you think, Yun-seong?"
"I'm fine with it too."
After checking with our party members, everyone seemed satisfied. We proceeded with the distribution.
As I received the Shadow Cube, a strange thrill washed over me.
'...If this experiment succeeds.'
I didn't know if it would work or fail. But if it did, we'd have an edge in information warfare over anyone else.
"Alright, now let's talk about the necklace."
When Seo Yu-ju asked for opinions, Hyun-jin immediately raised his hand.
"This time, I think Yun-seong hyung should take it!"
"No... hold on..."
"I agree. Oppa should have it."
Before I could stop Hyun-jin, Ha-eun chimed in with her support.
"W-Wait a minute. I've already got the Shadow Cube. I think Ha-eun should take it."
"Oppa... You gave up the necklace last time too. Just take it this time."
"No, I've already gotten my share this time. You should have it, Ha-eun."
As we deadlocked on the necklace, Seo Yu-ju clapped her hands to address everyone.
"Okay! Since we can't decide, let's do majority vote. I'll keep my eyes open as party leader, but everyone else close your eyes and point to who you think should get the necklace."
'This... crazy!'
These devils were resorting to tricks because I wouldn't take it.
"Everyone, close your eyes!"
'Shit...'
As everyone closed their eyes, I reluctantly followed suit.
"Okay, point now."
"......."
About ten seconds passed before Seo Yu-ju spoke again.
"You can open your eyes now."
'Ha...'
The result was obvious.
"It's Yun-seong. So, Yun-seong, just quietly accept the necklace. Got it?"
Everyone looked at me with pleased expressions. I gave in and took the necklace from Seo Yu-ju.
"...Thank you."
Excluding the gold, I'd ended up with almost all our party's rewards.
'Damn it...'
Even if I equipped this necklace, my Magic Power was a measly 23.
'That's why I didn't want it...'
On the way out after cleaning up the site, I noticed Kim Myung-jun glancing our way repeatedly.
'...What's with this guy now?'
I was seriously considering whether to put him in his place again when he approached us.
"Um..."
But he wasn't addressing me—he was talking to Seo Yu-ju.
'...What?'
Seo Yu-ju looked utterly flustered, clearly not expecting him to speak to her.
"...Yes?"
"Well..."
As Kim Myung-jun hemmed and hawed, Seo Yu-ju frowned and asked him directly.
"...What is it?"
She clearly disliked him intensely. Given how he'd treated me, she wasn't about to give him a warm look.
Blushing like he was about to make the confession of a lifetime, Kim Myung-jun finally spoke to Seo Yu-ju.
"H-How about grabbing a meal sometime later, Yu-ju?"
"......."
"Pfft!"
I couldn't hold back my laughter.
'Insane...! What a bold bastard! Wow, seriously... this is...'
A quick glance at Seo Yu-ju's face showed it twisted in disgust. It was the first time I'd seen that expression on her since we'd been together.
'Crazy! Crazy! This is a big event! For real...!'
It was a priceless spectacle you couldn't pay to see.
Our party members stared in confusion, like they'd heard some otherworldly nonsense.
With no response from Seo Yu-ju, Kim Myung-jun pressed on.
"I-I saw you fighting, Yu-ju... and I fell for you! You're so beautiful... and strong..."
'Damn it, stop. Please!'
I had no idea why the embarrassment fell on the listener, not the speaker.
Even I, just hearing it, wanted to crawl into a hole. But deep down, I was munching popcorn and hoping he'd keep going.
"Th-There's this restaurant where I'm really good at cooking—no, I mean, they cook really well. If you're okay with it, Yu-ju, how about a meal there later..."
Kang I-seo, who had despised Kim Myung-jun, now gazed at him with pity.
Who could've guessed the guy with anger issues was actually the most romantic romantic guy out there?
"...... Shut... No, I don't want to."
Kim Myung-jun froze in place at Seo Yu-ju's icy rejection.
'Myung-jun, what are you doing? Planning to live in the dungeon? We have to go—don't get left behind, man...'
People kept heading out of the dungeon, but Kim Myung-jun stood rooted there for a while.
After that little incident, once everyone was out, we exchanged farewells with the Incarnation Clan.
"It was truly enjoyable conquering the dungeon with the Eternity Clan members, Jae-hyo."
"No, we were the ones who enjoyed teaming up with Incarnation Clan, Da-rim."
"No, I want to wish the Eternity Clan a bright future ahead. Everyone was so outstanding..."
"Hahaha, you're too kind. The Incarnation Clan members were impressive too."
Lee Jae-hyo beamed with pride at the praise for our party.
"Thank you so much. I hope we get another chance to team up. Well then..."
"Yes. Looking forward to it. Head on in—we'll be going too."
With that, we each headed back to our clan houses.
'Aigoo... Myung-jun...'
Our romantic guy Myung-jun was so out of it that his clanmates had to grab both arms and drag him along, his legs scraping the ground pathetically.
'Hang in there, Myung-jun.'
After one night of camping, we finally arrived at the clan house.
Hyun-jin stretched his arms wide and yelled in exhilaration at returning from our first expedition.
"We're finally back!"
Everyone cheered joyfully as they entered the clan house. Lee Jae-hyo watched us warmly from behind.
Seo Yu-ju's voice came from beside me.
"What are you planning to do now, Yun-seong?"
It was still before evening, and after camping, plenty of time remained before day's end.
"Ah... I'm thinking of heading to the library."
"The library?"
As far as I knew, there was a library in Lund. I wanted to expand my knowledge of this world and find materials for my experiment.
"Yes. Looking for some references that might help with the experiment..."
"Ah, I see."
For some reason, I felt like teasing her, so I grinned mischievously.
"More importantly, what about you, Yu-ju? You got a confession from Myung-jun, so maybe check out that restaurant..."
I'd only meant to poke fun, payback for all the teasing I'd endured, but her reaction was beyond what I expected.
"Wh-What?! No...! No, Yun-seong! I have no intention of meeting that guy! Don't misunderstand...!"
'Wh-What?'
She took my variety show banter as documentary fact and panicked wildly. Caught off guard, I froze, and she kept going.
"Y-You're not misunderstanding, right?! I have nothing to do with him! I actually hate him!"
"Ah, no, wait, hold on, Yu-ju!"
"So please...!"
"Wait! I'm not misunderstanding! Why are you saying this all of a sudden?"
"Y-Yes?"
"I was just teasing. It was a joke."
"Ah...?"
Realizing her overreaction, her face turned beet red, and she yelled at me.
"How can you make jokes like that!"
"No... it was a normal joke..."
"Wh-What's normal about it! Don't say stuff like that anymore! Ugh...!"
With that, Seo Yu-ju huffed and stormed up to her room.
"...What the..."