Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Adaptation (4)
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“Yu, Yun-seong...”
In the middle of giving my report in the office, Seo Yu-ju came looking for me.
“...Yu-ju?”
“I... apologized to Ho-yeon...”
'Ah... so that's why she came.'
“P-please forgive me now... I was wrong..”
Honestly, the words I'd spat out to Seo Yu-ju back then—that I wouldn't see her face until she apologized to Wi Ho-yeon—had just been said in the heat of the moment.
Lately, I hadn't seen Seo Yu-ju's face at all, but that wasn't because I'd been deliberately avoiding her. I'd simply been so swamped with work that it happened naturally.
From Seo Yu-ju's perspective, though, it must have felt like I was disappointed in her and dodging her on purpose.
'Damn, I'm really sorry...'
I hadn't given those offhand words a second thought. I'd never dreamed they'd weigh on her this heavily.
“...I'm sorry. What I said back then was just in the heat of the moment. I had no idea it'd bother you this much. I'm sorry, Yu-ju.”
“...You're lying... Hic...”
'Wh-what? Why is she...?'
Suddenly, she started sniffling, leaving me completely flustered.
“I... heard... You went to a bar alone with Ho-yeon...”
'Huh...'
Thinking about it, from Seo Yu-ju's standpoint, right after hearing I wouldn't see her face again, she must have caught wind that I'd gone drinking alone with Wi Ho-yeon at some bar outside. No wonder she'd misunderstand.
“That was... to clear things up with Ho-yeon. She'd gotten the wrong idea that I disliked her...”
“...You don't need to go alone to a bar outside the clan just to sort out a misunderstanding...”
'Damn...'
From my angle, I'd taken her there to gauge her mindset and values. But it looked totally different from Seo Yu-ju's view.
“It's true, Yu-ju. You think I'd take her out for some personal motive?”
“......”
She didn't look convinced in the slightest.
No choice now—I had to play my trump card.
“Come to think of it... I just remembered promising to treat you to a meal. You free tonight by any chance, Yu-ju?”
Her gloomy eyes lit up at the mention of dinner tonight.
“Y-yes! I'm free tonight!”
“In that case, let's head to a restaurant and grab some—”
“We drink booze too—booze!”
“...Pardon?”
“You drank alone with Ho-yeon. Drink with me too!”
“Uh...”
I hadn't expected Seo Yu-ju to suggest drinks, so I hesitated for a second. Her face fell back into gloom.
“...By any chance, you don't want to drink alone with me...?”
“No, no. Let's do it. I was just caught off guard that you'd suggest booze.”
“Hehe... Awesome. I'll hold you to it?”
“Yeah. Once work wraps up, I'll come find you.”
'She's that thrilled...'
She was even humming a little tune, she was so happy.
It was evening by the time I stopped by Seo Yu-ju's office. I'd already told Wi Ho-yeon I had a private meeting with the clan master.
“Yu-ju. Mind if I come—”
Click—
“Yun-seong!”
Before I could finish, the door flew open, and Seo Yu-ju greeted me with open arms.
'What the...? Why'd you dress up like that?'
I was pretty thrown by her look. This wasn't her usual getup—she'd gone all out.
A loose white silk blouse up top, paired with a tight black skirt that hugged her hips.
Seo Yu-ju was already drop-dead gorgeous, but dolled up like this? Nowhere safe to rest my eyes.
I stood there blankly, at a loss for words, until she flashed a big smile.
“Yun-seong, how do I look? Good?”
“...Ah, yeah. Suits you perfectly, Yu-ju.”
'Hitting me out of nowhere like this...'
I'd known for a while that Seo Yu-ju had been showing interest. But we'd never hit this vibe before—I'd always sidestepped or shut it down before it got weird.
Truth be told, I wasn't exactly thrilled with how things were shaping up. Sure, she was a sight for sore eyes, but casually dating in this bizarre world called Eras? Not on my radar.
I'd pictured a straightforward dinner, nothing more. No lovey-dovey date vibes.
She probably wasn't planning anything bold tonight either. We just weren't there yet.
Likely just her way of signaling she'd be more upfront from here on.
“Yun-seong, let's hit the bar! Got a spot in mind?”
“Yeah. I do. Follow me.”
Obviously, I wasn't dumb enough to take her to the same place I'd brought Wi Ho-yeon.
We headed down to the clan house's first floor to head out and bumped right into Hyun-jin hanging around down there.
“Ah... Bro. Where you off to... Huh?”
He spotted Seo Yu-ju trailing behind me, eyes going wide as saucers, mouth hanging open.
“Uh... Uh...? Sister Yu-ju...?”
“Oh, Hyun-jin. Just stepping out with Yun-seong for a bit?”
“Ah, y-yeah..! H-have a great time, you two...!”
'Not what you're thinking, you punk...'
Hyun-jin had clearly jumped to conclusions seeing her all dressed up.
Once outside the clan house, I snuck a glance at Seo Yu-ju. She was smirking, clearly tickled by Hyun-jin's mix-up.
'Well, at least that's a relief.'
With how guilty I'd been feeling toward her lately, seeing her in high spirits eased my mind.
Truth was, ever since Eternity Clan had restructured, no one had hustled harder than her.
“...Yu-ju. Thanks.”
“Hm?”
“Just hit me. Thanks to all your hard work, everyone's still kicking.”
“Uh...”
“Even back with the clan recruitment stuff—everyone stuck together because of you.”
“....”
She went quiet for a beat, then mumbled something in a voice tinier than a mosquito's.
“....Saying stuff like that's cheating...”
“Hm?”
“...Nothing. You're an idiot, Yun-seong.”
“...Hold up, I complimented you—why am I the idiot?”
“That's exactly why you're an idiot. Sigh...”
“...?”
We chatted idly as we walked, eventually reaching the bar's entrance.
“Uh... Yun-seong. We're going in here?”
“Ah, yeah. Something wrong?”
“Th-this place... is pricey...”
'That was your worry?'
Sure, it was upscale. Pricier even than the spot I'd taken Wi Ho-yeon.
But with the gold overflowing from what Kang Sung-jun had handed over, it was no issue. A daily haunt like this? Piece of cake.
Besides, after feeling so bad toward Seo Yu-ju lately, I didn't want to cheap out on her.
“It's fine. Once in a while won't hurt. Let's head in.”
Ding—
We grabbed a cozy spot and placed our order.
'No denying it... Pricey spots like this don't draw crowds.'
Your average player wouldn't even dream of footing the bill here.
“Huh?”
'Ha Yu-ri?'
The snag? While scanning the room after ordering food and drinks, I spotted an unexpected face.
'What the hell's she doing here?'
Seo Yu-ju picked up on my weird reaction and shot me a concerned look.
“...Yun-seong? Everything okay...?”
“Ah... Yeah. Just antsy waiting for the food. Haha...”
'Play it cool for now.'
No point engineering a run-in between Seo Yu-ju and Ha Yu-ri. Last thing I needed was drama kicking off here—major headache.
'More to the point... what brought that bitch all the way here?'
Far as I knew, Ha Yu-ri's Madan Clan turf was a good trek from Lund. Couldn't fathom why she'd show up here.
'And who's the guy across from her?'
Some handsome blond dude, both of them yukking it up ha-ha-ho-ho. Looked like a date.
Name:Kanda Koshiro
Age:29
Job:Illusory Dream Swordsman (Legendary Grade)
Title:Dreamer, Illusory Dream Swordsman
Unique Trait
Illusory Dream Sword Technique (Legendary Grade) - When inflicting damage on an opponent with a sword, it gradually draws them into a dream state depending on the level difference.
Traits
Man-Sword Unity (Legendary Grade) - Dramatically increases comprehension of swordsmanship.
Intermediate Hand-to-Hand Comprehension (Rare Grade) - Moderately increases comprehension of hand-to-hand combat.
My eyes lingered more on the name than his traits or stats.
'Japanese guy?'
No clue why Ha Yu-ri was with some Japanese dude, but he screamed trouble. I pretended not to notice.
Luckily, Ha Yu-ri's crew hadn't clocked us yet. Too wrapped up giggling with the guy.
“Yun-seong, you okay? You look off all the sudden...”
“Just a headache hitting... Probably overdid it with work. I'm good.”
'Shit... Gotta watch Seo Yu-ju and Ha Yu-ri's side. What a mess...'
Why'd everything have to tangle up like this? I wanted to curse myself for picking this place.
Soon enough, our food and drinks arrived.
Since I'd come out tonight for Seo Yu-ju's sake, I tuned out Ha Yu-ri and kept chatting her up.
As I steered the mood smoothly, her face softened into smiles, words flowing freer.
A bit of booze in her, cheeks faintly flushed, she leaned in.
“Yun-seong. Remember that time?”
“That time?”
“Back in the tutorial dungeon. You refused healing when you were hurt. Ring any bells?”
'Ah... that incident.'
“Yeah, I remember. You yelled at me, asking why I wouldn't let you heal me. Haha, all part of the memories now.”
“Right. You have no idea how freaked out I was.”
“Haha...”
“But... looking back, your call was spot-on. If Yu-hyeon had healed you then... I-seo probably would've...”
I got what she was driving at. Yeah, if I'd taken the heal, Yu-hyeon would've been out of mana for the shield—Kang I-seo would've gotten mulched by the boss.
“Eh, we all made it out alive anyway.”
“...True. Your judgment saved us all.”
“You're too kind, Yu-ju.”
“No, really. Every time I watch... you always make the right call.”
'The right call, huh...'
“You're one to talk—you're always up front, risking it all to shield the party. We owe our safety to you.”
“.... Pfft.”
“What's so funny?”
“Sorry. Hehe... Just hit me—we're straight-up complimenting each other.”
“Huh. Yeah, pretty ridiculous when you put it like that.”
About ten minutes into our back-and-forth, Ha Yu-ri caught my eye.
'Damn, she spotted us?'
Looked like she'd clocked me and Seo Yu-ju.
She seemed unsure at first, but once her gaze locked on my face, certainty hit. She started heading our way.
'Shit...'
“...Trainee Lee Yun-seong?”