Chapter 32 Party Members 2
Chapter 32: {Party Members} 2
{Party Members}
Yu Ji-hu's words made Yu Ha-rin nod in response.
"Yeah, let's do that."
Ji-hu immediately sent a message to Seo Yu-rin.
Even though it was being sent from Italy to Korea, the smartphone provided by the Underground Guild allowed them to communicate instantly, disregarding borders and distance.
Ji-hu:Yu-rin, I know it's late and I promised to let you rest, but I'm meeting potential party members right now. Want to join us?
Yu-rin's reply came almost immediately.
Yu-rin:Sure, I'll come.
Ji-hu:Great. Get ready then.
Yu-rin:On it.
Ji-hu:Let me know when you're set.
After exchanging messages, Ji-hu turned his attention to Sophia.
'Her potential really is exceptional, huh?'
Despite being only around fifteen years old, Sophia had an appearance that was both cute and endearing—yet her talent was so remarkable that she had earned the title of "Saintess."
Outwardly, she seemed delicate, the kind of girl who evoked protective instincts. But unlike Yu-rin, who still needed time to grow, Ji-hu could tell Sophia had already developed her abilities to a considerable degree.
'At this level, with just a bit more experience, she could perform just as well as Mine.'
While Ji-hu was observing Sophia, Yu-rin's message finally arrived.
Yu-rin:Ready.
Ji-hu turned to Ha-rin.
"Noona, Yu-rin says she's ready."
"Got it."
Ha-rin gestured lightly—and in an instant, three women appeared before them.
She hadn't gone to fetch them herself. Instead, she had summoned them directly to their location.
Mochida Erika.
Irina Isteden.
Seo Yu-rin.
Perhaps because they had been briefed beforehand, none of the three seemed particularly startled.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, it's an honor."
The two women—Erika and Irina—immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Ha-rin. Their Korean was slightly awkward, but their tone carried unmistakable reverence, if not quite as intense as Sophia's.
"Uh... h-hi, Your Majesty..."
Yu-rin, the newest recruit to the Underground Guild, hesitated before offering a nervous greeting, then quickly moved to stand beside Ji-hu, the only familiar face in the room.
"Hey, Yu-rin."
"Y-yeah. Ji-hu."
She seemed overwhelmed by the presence of people she had only ever seen on TV or the internet, but Ji-hu figured she'd get used to it in time. His attention then shifted to Erika and Irina.
'They're both beautiful.'
Erika, who had once trained to be a model, was even more striking in person than in photos. At twenty, she had shed the last traces of girlhood, exuding a poised, elegant beauty.
'She looks so gentle and composed... but her ability is Blazing Heat.'
He had heard that her power specialized in long-range bombardment, wielding flames so intense they didn't just burn—they obliterated. He had watched footage of her fights once, and the sheer destructive force of her attacks was staggering.
'Her fighting style... it's similar.'
It reminded him of Scarlet's magic.
Like Erika, Scarlet had relied on overwhelming long-range firepower, decimating entire waves of enemies with explosive spells.
'And... she attacked me too.'
The memory of being scorched by Scarlet's flames made his chest tighten.
He still wasn't over it. But he forced himself not to show it.
'Irina Isteden.'
Irina's hair color reminded him of Yenia, the Elf.
Though her summons weren't spirits, her primary weapon being a bow was another point of resemblance.
'I wonder how she fights?'
Unlike Erika, Irina's combat style wasn't publicly documented, so Ji-hu had no reference.
'With a bow and summons... probably similar to Yenia.'
Yenia's archery and the diverse abilities of her spirits had provided invaluable support in countless battles—support Ji-hu himself had relied on many times.
'And then she shot me too.'
The phantom pain of Yenia's arrows piercing him resurfaced, but he shook it off.
'Let's summarize.'
Seo Yu-rin - Close-range tank and melee DPS.
Sophia Clark - Healer and buffer.
Mochida Erika - Long-range firepower.
Irina Isteden - Versatile support.
Yu Ji-hu - Overwhelming offensive power, whether against hordes or single targets.
With this composition and enough practice, they could handle any situation.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Mochida Erika."
"Irina Isteden. Pleased to meet... you."
Irina's Korean was even less fluent than Erika's, her words slightly stumbling.
"Nice to meet you both. I'm Yu Ji-hu."
Ji-hu responded politely, since this was their first meeting.
"Please, speak comfortably."
"Same here. Feel free... to speak casually."
Both women seemed flustered at the idea of being addressed formally by Ha-rin's younger brother.
"Alright, got it."
Ji-hu nodded before cutting to the chase.
"Noona must have explained, but... neither of you have any objections to joining my party, right?"
If they weren't willing, he was prepared to look elsewhere—even if Ha-rin had recommended them.
"I'm fine with it."
"Me too. It's an honor to team up with Her Majesty's brother."
Both Erika and Irina answered with bright smiles.
"Then it's settled."
Ha-rin, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke.
"Ji-hu, it's late in Korea now. Let's head back."
"Yeah... Sophia, the time difference must be rough. Think you can join training tomorrow?"
Unlike Erika, Irina, and Yu-rin—who were all in Korea—Sophia was in Italy, an eight-hour difference.
"It might take some adjusting, but I'll manage."
"Alright... See you tomorrow, then."
"Looking forward to working with you."
Sophia's eyes sparkled with excitement, her expression so endearing that Ji-hu couldn't help but smile.
'Is this what having a little sister feels like?'
Most people he knew with siblings had strained relationships, but given how close he was with Ha-rin, he imagined having a younger sister would have been nice.
"Uh, Ji-hu... So starting tomorrow, I'll be... working with them?"
"Yeah, that's the plan."
Yu-rin's face stiffened with nerves at the thought of training alongside famous Awakened from the Underground Guild. As a new recruit, the pressure was immense.
'She'll get used to it.'
The only solution was to train hard together and tackle rifts as a team.
"Well, it's getting late... Shouldn't we all head back and rest up for tomorrow?"
Now that introductions were over, Ji-hu suggested they call it a night. Ha-rin nodded.
"Right. Erika, Irina, Yu-rin."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Y-yes, Your Majesty!"
The three responded in turn as Ha-rin addressed them.
"Report in by 11 tomorrow. I'll send you back now."
With a wave of her hand, Ha-rin teleported Erika, Irina, and Yu-rin back to their homes. Normally, guild members had to report by 9 AM, but she had given them extra time to rest.
"Guess this is goodbye for now, Sophia."
"I suppose so... Goodnight, Your Majesty. Ji-hu oppa. See you tomorrow."
Sophia bowed politely, her smile warm.
"Right."
"See you tomorrow, Sophia."
Once Ji-hu finished his farewells, Ha-rin teleported them both home.
"You okay?"
The moment they arrived, Ha-rin's worried gaze fixed on him.
"Yeah, I'm fine..."
Ji-hu forced a bitter smile. She had noticed his distress.
'I didn't want to worry her with this. I'm still not over it.'
He resolved to focus solely on training with his new party starting tomorrow.
If he poured everything into that, maybe—
'Maybe I can forget about them completely.'
Iris, Scarlet, Mine, Yenia. He would do everything in his power to erase them from his heart.