Chapter 169: Picnic (1)
Chapter 169: Picnic (1)
Han Shin and his party decided to remain in the UK for the time being, just in case.
It was a decision made to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, as it was difficult to say for certain that every last Demonic Human had been captured.
Han Shin had once again absorbed the dark mana released when the Black Spire was destroyed.
In truth, since Han Shin had destroyed the Black Spire with a spear throw from such a vast distance, he hadn't expected much. However, he realized belatedly that the mana had been absorbed, likely due to some method Tiamat had prepared in advance.
As had been the case until now, Han Shin could not immediately use the mana absorbed from Dungeon Cores or the dark mana gathered after destroying Black Spires.
Curiously, while Han Shin could feel the Power of the Dragon, he could not feel the mana or dark mana absorbed through Tiamat’s arrangements even after they entered his body.
Han Shin opened the Manager App and looked at Tiamat’s Holy Power gauge, which was now full, thinking it was quite strange.
‘It’s clear there’s a massive amount of Tiamat’s Holy Power inside me, but it’s fascinating that I can’t feel it at all...’
On the other hand, he could clearly feel the Power of the Dragon, imbued with Tiamat’s Holy Power, dwelling within his body.
“Han Shin-nim. I am ready.”
Han Shin had been waiting for Grace in the living room.
The residence they had received from the British government on the outskirts of London was a villa equipped with the latest facilities.
Han Shin, who had been sitting on a sofa made of premium leather fiddling with his smartphone while waiting for Grace, stood up with a smile as she emerged from her room and approached him.
Han Shin was dressed for an outing in a white shirt and black trousers, with his sleeves rolled up.
Grace was also in civilian clothes rather than her silver armor, but she wasn't wearing the white tracksuit she usually wore at home. It was a look that seemed modest yet far from cheap.
She was wearing a navy long dress made of high-quality fabric.
Below her short, platinum-blonde hair, the navy dress wasn't skin-tight but had a slim fit that suited her perfectly. It was a clean design without any gaudy decorations. A cloth belt at her waist cinched it slightly, giving the outfit a more stylish silhouette.
“Oh... you’re here? Shall we go, then?”
Han Shin was slightly surprised by Grace’s attire, a style he had never seen her wear before.
Seeing Han Shin standing there speaking with a dazed expression, a smile naturally formed on Grace’s face.
“Yes.”
Grace answered quickly. As Han Shin started to lead the way, she hurried to his side and walked in step with him.
The two had decided to go on the date they had been putting off right here in the UK.
Because they didn't know how the demons might move next, they had been staying in the UK for quite a while. For a little over two weeks, they had remained in a state of constant combat readiness.
Fortunately, the Demonic Humans and demons showed no significant movement during those two weeks, and there was no need for Han Shin’s party to step in.
After carefully monitoring the situation, Han Shin’s party judged on the fourteenth day that the situation had settled enough for them to return to Korea.
However, Grace unexpectedly mentioned that she wanted to go on a date here.
Since Grace had originally been scheduled to visit anyway before the Demonic Human invasion of London, Kang Yujin, Laysia, and Han Shin respected her wishes.
Grace had developed an interest in the UK due to its knight culture and wanted to look around. Though she couldn't tour the city itself, which was currently in ruins with countless casualties, she requested to see the local scenery.
Han Shin accepted Grace’s request, and so the two of them set off on a light picnic.
The area was land owned by the British Royal Family. Access was restricted to the general public, and the grounds were privately managed. In fact, the villa provided to Han Shin’s party was originally intended for members of the Royal Family, but they had moved out to offer it to them.
Naturally, staff from the British and Korean Associations, as well as figures from the British government and Royal Family, were stationed around the villa to assist the Moon Shadow Party.
Slipping past their eyes was an incredibly easy task.
As usual, they used a Perception Distortion Artifact, and the two of them quietly made their way out of the villa.
Han Shin and Grace decided to stroll through the fields and hills near the residence.
In a place where no one else was present, Han Shin and Grace walked side by side. Since this was her first outdoor date with Han Shin, Grace felt a slight flutter in her heart.
‘No, I have to comfort Han Shin-nim.’
She pushed those feelings aside and focused on him. There was a hidden reason why she had asked for this date in the UK.
The number of casualties from the invasion of London was staggering—over a million.
Because over ten thousand Demonic Humans had poured into London, massacring indiscriminately and using dark magic to turn corpses into zombies, an enormous number of casualties had occurred in a very short window of time.
Of course, the situation could have been much worse, and one could argue that stopping it at this level was a "cheap" price to pay. However, the truth remained that an immense number of people had died.
It was the first time in Han Shin’s life that he had personally witnessed such a scene of mass death. Naturally, there was room for guilt to take root.
If only I had moved a little faster...
If only I had been a little stronger...
There was a high probability that a mixture of regret, self-reflection, and guilt—negative emotions—would eat away at him. After all, Han Shin had been an ordinary person until just two months ago.
Grace was worried about this. She had seen many superiors, colleagues, and subordinates crumble after failing to save others in Nippur... and she had experienced those negative emotions herself.
Because she had lived through it, she was worried about Han Shin, even if he appeared fine on the outside. That was why she had asked him for a date.
Grace’s concerns were accurate.
Han Shin tried not to dwell on it, but deep down, he felt a heavy sense of guilt for the massive loss of life.
Physically, he couldn't have arrived any faster; in fact, he had arrived much earlier than the scheduled time. He had done his absolute best, even jumping straight out of a plane over London.
Yet, the fact that there were more casualties than he could have imagined felt surreal, even as it hit him with visceral clarity. He had personally cut down, pierced, and destroyed the zombies made from those victims.
It was an unavoidable reality, and if he hadn't done it, they themselves would have been harmed or put in danger.
‘Is it okay for me to be doing this...?’
Even now, while Han Shin felt happy and good spending time alone with Grace...
‘Is it really okay for me to be doing this?’
He felt a sense of internal resistance toward his own actions.
Grace saw right through Han Shin’s inner thoughts. She was currently walking through the forest with her arm linked in his.
Squeeze.
Grace tightened her grip on his arm and interlaced her fingers with his, squeezing his hand firmly. This action was uncharacteristic of her usual reserved self, but it conveyed her affection for Han Shin perfectly.
Grace didn't offer clumsy words of comfort. Anyone could offer verbal consolation, but she judged that it wasn't what Han Shin needed right now.
‘Let’s talk later.’
She didn't plan on bringing it up just yet.
Han Shin and Grace reached a sunny spot near some rocks. Along the way, the two had walked slowly, admiring the surrounding scenery.
Grace pulled out a picnic mat and lunch boxes she had prepared in advance from her subspace. They decided to have lunch there.
Grace had put her heart into making the meal since morning, excited for the date, and had even sought advice from the other two women.
To suit Han Shin’s palate, she had listened to Kang Yujin’s advice, and to make up for her slightly lacking culinary skills, she had received recipes and tips from Laysia.
The result was a Bulgogi Sandwich.
Following the advice that a grand meal during a picnic could be cumbersome and uncomfortable, she thought of something Han Shin could eat easily. Her choice had received positive feedback from both Kang Yujin and Laysia.
“Thank you, Grace. I’ll enjoy it.”
Han Shin took a sandwich from Grace.
It was made by filling a hot dog bun for easy eating, stuffed with lettuce, pickles, and specially seasoned bulgogi that she had poured her soul into. A blend of cheese dipping sauce and spicy seasoning had been added to match Han Shin’s taste.
“Wow! This is really delicious.”
Han Shin marveled as soon as he took a bite.
Seeing his reaction, Grace felt glad that her hard work preparing it in such a short time hadn't been in vain. She enjoyed her own food while basking in the pleasure of Han Shin’s praise.