Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Request (10)
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"You stayed out last night too, huh?"
Those were the first words she said to me as I entered the room, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Ah... Something came up."
"Hmm... Was that 'something' the request I asked you about, by any chance?"
"Spot on."
"Was it really something worth staying out overnight for?"
Diana tilted her head, her voice laced with curiosity at my response.
"I've secured ties with the Black Wolf Clan."
Diana's eyes widened in surprise at my words, though she quickly masked her expression.
"Well... Someone of your caliber would naturally draw their attention. Still, I figured it would take a few days at least... Did the Black Writ or Blood Shadow make any moves?"
Diana had accurately pieced together what had happened to me the day before.
"Exactly. All three clans approached me simultaneously, but I chose the Black Wolf."
"No way... You spent the night with Juyeon???"
Diana's eyes narrowed as she grilled me.
"Is there any reason I should answer that?"
"Ah... No. Sorry."
At my words, Diana waved it off. She seemed to realize she'd crossed a line.
"To be clear, nothing like that happened with Juyeon. But I'd appreciate it if you didn't pry into my personal life."
I remained firm. Women like Diana couldn't be given even the slightest opening.
"Sorry. That was my mistake."
She apologized sincerely once more.
"No, it's fine now."
"Thank you."
Diana smiled again at my response. Despite being reprimanded by someone much younger, her honest apology raised my opinion of her a notch.
"The Black Wolf Clan wants me to pass the knight order exam in two months. Ideally, they'd like me to join Hainelrune."
"That figures. You know why I asked you to infiltrate, right?"
"Of course. To identify the factions that have infiltrated the knight order."
"Exactly. Not just the Black Wolf Clan you've allied with, but infiltrators from the other clans too."
"That aligns with what the Black Wolf wants as well. I'll ask them to share their intel gradually."
"Thank you. You've made this so much easier."
"The mission isn't complete yet."
"Truth is, infiltrating a clan is the hardest part. It should be smooth sailing from here."
"True. But do you think I can actually join Hainelrune?"
"One hundred percent."
Diana answered my question with absolute certainty.
"His Majesty and the Knight Commander know you have Lije. They're determined to recruit you no matter what. You'll get into Hainelrune somehow."
"Still, I should level up a bit, right? To make it look good?"
"Yeah... Though with your skills, you could probably join even without Lije."
"Know any good hunting grounds for leveling?"
"Your Valkyries are around level 20 now, right, Kai?"
"Yes."
"It might be a stretch, but try the Ashen Cemetery. It's for mid-20s or level 30s, but with Lije, it should be doable."
"Oh ho... I see...? Would evening be better?"
"No. Rest up now and go during the day. You can go at night, but the difficulty spikes. Better to level some during the day first, then challenge it later."
"Got it. Thanks."
"You're heading out...?"
"Pardon? Why?"
"Ah... You've completed the mission, so how about dinner together?"
"Even so, wouldn't it be bad if I seemed too close to you, Lady Diana?"
Diana looked disappointed at my words. But since I was spot on, she couldn't press further.
"Then... Come for drinks this evening."
She made one last lingering attempt.
"I'll do that."
With that, I left Diana's room. Being in this body truly made the world an easier place to live in.
Every woman was at least kind to me.
On my way back to my room, an alert pinged on my status.
Isteir: How can you not send even one text? That's too much.. Hing... T.T
It was a message from Isteir.
Thinking back, I realized I hadn't contacted her once since we parted the day before last.
Having taken her first time and then ghosting her without a word was definitely on me.
Even in a situation that could make her furious, Isteir complained cutely instead of lashing out. She really had a great personality.
Kai: Sorry... Been swamped with stuff. You okay?
Isteir: Ah... I see. My body...? Hehe.. It hurts a little..
Isteir was quite the flirt in texts. I wondered if she'd be this cute in person too.
Kai: Gotta take good care of yourself then. Or I won't come see you again?
Isteir: Ah! You're right! Got it. Buy me something yummy when I'm better.
Kai: Sure thing.
Isteir: What're you up to tomorrow?
Kai: Starting tomorrow, I'm hunting in the Ashen Cemetery. You?
Isteir: Really? You can go there already? Should I come too?
Kai: Yeah. Wanna hunt together if you're free.
I regretted sending that message right away.
I couldn't tell Isteir about Lije yet, and hunting together would be impossible.
Isteir: Nah. I'm not ready for that place yet. Don't wanna be a burden. Buy me something yummy later.
Luckily, she wasn't coming to the same hunting ground.
Kai: Btw, are you taking the knight order exam this time too, Isteir?
Isteir: Yeah! You too?
Kai: Yeah, planning to.
Isteir: Wow!! It'd be amazing if we both got into Hainelrune.... T.T
Kai: You'll make it, Isteir. Don't worry.
Isteir was planning to take the exam too, but her Valkyries probably weren't up to Hainelrune standards.
That was without me, though. With my help, it was different.
Isteir: Nah.. I'll be happy just passing into the order.
Kai: No. I'll make sure you get in.
Isteir: Thanks even for saying that. It motivates me. Gotta level hard tomorrow too! Thanks!!
She thought I was just cheering her on. Naturally, since she didn't know about transference.
Still, I wanted Isteir to join Hainelrune with me if possible.
In about two weeks, I'd get another massive influx of diamonds. Then she could definitely summon Valkyries strong enough for Hainelrune.
After finishing the chat with Isteir, I entered my room to find Sua waiting for me.
Sua was wearing a sky-blue one-piece dress that made her look stunningly beautiful.
"Come here."
I opened my arms, and Sua approached, nestling into my embrace.
We couldn't do anything more yet, but just holding her like this filled me with happiness.
Daybreak came, and I headed to the new hunting ground.
Having already made a good amount of money, I no longer needed to obsess over it. It was time for serious leveling.
My levels had stagnated since hitting 20, so now was the time to push forward.
I took a carriage to the Ashen Cemetery, as recommended by Diana.
It was farther than the Golden Reed Forest, taking over an hour by carriage.
Even in the morning, sunlight barely pierced the Ashen Cemetery. The damp, ashen soil made it feel even more eerie.
Skeletons, zombies, and other undead roamed here. They hit hard but lacked durability.
However, they came in hordes, making for great experience gains.
I scouted the area first. The decent difficulty meant no other hunters were around.
I summoned Sua, Lije, Jaira, Heiji, Holla, and Elastra.
Excluding Sua, they were all AoE dealers, perfect for undead hunting.
Kraaaah!
A chilling cry echoed from somewhere.
My body tensed at the sound.
This wasn't a game on my phone—it was real life.
Unlike orcs or reed sparrows, these were the undead. The fact they were once dead terrified me.
As if sensing my fear, Sua came over and gripped my hand tightly.
"As long as I'm here, no one will lay a finger on you, Kai."
Her warm, soft touch melted my anxiety away.
Right—I had Sua and my Valkyries. Believe in them.
Undead were nothing to fear.
"Kraaaah!"
"Shit! What the hell!!!"
A zombie lunged out of nowhere, startling me so badly it undid all my resolve.