Chapter 166: Hunan Province (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 166: Hunan Province (3)
In the end, I did as Yu Serin asked and accepted the video call on my watch.
It wasn't like I was doing anything strange.
And switching the camera wasn't a big deal.
The moment my face appeared on the hologram screen, Yu Serin, on the other side, beamed like a child.
– Great. It's nice to see a familiar face from home after so long.
She nodded, looking satisfied.
– Now this feels more like a proper conversation. Anyway, back to the matter at hand…
Yu Serin stared at me and asked playfully.
– So, what exactly are you and the Sub-Guild Master investigating?
I hesitated for a moment before answering.
How much could I tell her?
First, anything about the Fragments was off the table. I could only talk about the Mines.
“Data on the abnormal mana waves we've detected recently. We need to prepare for a potential attack before a second Shanghai incident occurs.”
I looked her straight in the eye through the screen.
– Hmm… is that so?
She didn't seem to fully believe me, but she didn't press the issue.
Yu Serin was as sharp as ever.
“If you know anything, feel free to tell me.”
– No, I haven't detected anything recently either. For now, I'm just scouting.
“I see. That's fine. I was planning on heading your way this Saturday anyway.”
I said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
– What?!
Yu Serin shot up, a look of complete surprise on her face.
The sudden movement caused the thin shower robe hanging precariously on her shoulders to slip down one side.
For a moment, I caught a glimpse of her pale shoulder, glowing softly in the light, and the gentle curve below it.
I barely managed to keep my eyes from lingering there.
Her eyes went wide like a rabbit's as she asked again.
– Really?
I forced myself to act nonchalant, keeping my gaze fixed on her face as I replied.
“Yes. I'll probably be heading straight to Hunan.”
The reason Hunan was a problem was the Fragment. Once I retrieved it, there would be no more issues.
“Just hang in there a little longer. I'll be there soon.”
– Ah… okay….
She was speechless for a moment.
Then, as if she'd just realized what she was wearing, she hastily pulled her robe together, her cheeks flushing red.
– I'll be… waiting….
“Yes, thank you for your hard work today.”
With that, she hurriedly ended the call as if fleeing.
– Click.
I stared at the empty hologram screen for a moment and let out a deep sigh. It looked like I wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight.
It was 11 p.m.
Still too early to sleep.
I shook the distracting thoughts from my head and pulled up the data on Zhangjiajie again.
Hundreds of photos filled my vision.
“I have to find it.”
I began to analyze the data.
*
A lazy afternoon, after lunch.
I was sitting side-by-side with Sion on a quiet bench on the Gaon Campus.
It had been a while since I'd eaten with Sion.
“The weather's nice~”
“It is.”
But I couldn't fully enjoy the peaceful weather.
Time kept ticking by toward the weekend, but my mind was filled with worries.
‘Who should I take with me?’
First off, Yu Hana was a definite. That was non-negotiable.
Yu Serin was also a definite, since she was already dispatched there.
She would know the local situation and geography, so she could be a great help.
The problem was the rest of them: Kang A-rin, Cheon Yeo-wool, and Yoon Chae-ha.
Their powers would undoubtedly be a huge help against the Mines, but…
Taking all of them was a considerable burden.
This wasn't a trip.
Let's think about them one by one.
In Yoon Chae-ha's case, I would have to get permission from her parents myself.
Telling them I was taking their precious only daughter, who had just started to adjust to Gaon, to a hazardous area in China without any warning.
“……”
That sounded insane.
Second, Cheon Yeo-wool.
She had gained the power of a Fragment and would likely be a great asset.
Cheon Yeo-wool's Holy Method would provide the best support and also serve as a combat force.
However, her body wasn't hers alone.
As the Saintess, Cheon Yeo-wool was someone the Arcadia Cult fiercely protected.
So what if that Saintess announced she was just going to zip off to a hazardous area in China with some guy, without any official procedures?
The Cult's paladins would almost certainly insist on coming along.
A situation that required stealth would suddenly turn into the Crusades.
Next, Kang A-rin.
The heir to the Glory Group and the de facto ruler of the Guild Alliance.
She was an influential figure whose every move drew the attention of countless people.
Therefore, she couldn't move alone either.
It was highly likely that the Guild Alliance's Team 1, Glory, would follow her.
And let's say I really did take all of them to Hunan.
But what if the enemy's real target was the Pentagon's Fragment?
That would have been a very difficult situation, but fortunately, that problem was solved.
I had asked the Old Man to have Vanquisher take on the request to guard the place themselves.
“Oh, right.”
While I was lost in thought, Ha Sion, who was next to me, spoke up.
“I heard Grandpa and the others are all going to the US this weekend. Are you going too, Hae-in?”
“No, I have other plans.”
“I see… I'm planning on going. Grandpa said it's about time I got some real combat experience and told me to come along.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
So Ha Sion was going with Vanquisher on the US escort mission. This was excellent news.
“Hey… if anything happens over there, can you contact me directly, without going through anyone else?”
“Huh? Sure, why not!”
It would be faster if she contacted me directly.
Even if the Mines' target really was the Pentagon, Vanquisher would be there.
As long as an Apostle didn't show up in person, they should be able to buy plenty of time.
It would buy me time to respond.
Right.
Let's just do it this way.
I'll just go and ask them directly.
‘Wanna come? Or not?’
It'd be easier that way.
So, that evening.
I opened the door to my room and quietly went down the stairs.
And went down to the first floor.
The rooms of Yoon Chae-ha, Kang A-rin, and Cheon Yeo-wool, one after another.
I'll get this over with quickly.
Without hesitation, I headed to Yoon Chae-ha's door first.
– Knock, knock.
The door opened quietly.
“Who is… oh?”
“It's me.”
Yoon Chae-ha's eyes met mine as she opened the door.
“Can I come in for a minute?”
“Huh? O-… okay….”
At my words, her face turned bright red with embarrassment.
Yoon Chae-ha looked like she had just gotten out of the shower. Her cheeks were flushed, and the sweet scent of shampoo wafted from her slightly damp, orange hair.
She was wearing pink pajamas with a cute duck pattern on them.
We sat side-by-side on the sofa in her room, and I got straight to the point.
“I'm going to Hunan Province.”
As calmly as I could, I explained all the information I had.
The appearance of the Mines, the mana waves, and the worst-case scenario.
“So… it could be dangerous. Do you want to come?”
Yoon Chae-ha didn't say anything for a moment.
Her small hands, resting on her knees, just fidgeted.
She must have a lot to think about.
This would be the first time she'd faced such direct danger.
Whatever her answer, I would respect it.
Yoon Chae-ha was still young.
“I'll have to say I'm sleeping over at a friend's house….”
“Huh?”
What came out of her mouth wasn't refusal or fear.
“I was supposed to see my parents this weekend.”
I thought Chae-ha would be scared. But that was just my own misconception.
When she lifted her head, her orange eyes were shining brightly.
“They won't give me permission if I tell them it's dangerous, so… I'll have to lie.”
Yoon Chae-ha said, then gave me a wide grin.
I couldn't help but give a wry smile at the sight.
After leaving Yoon Chae-ha's room, I walked down the hall to the room right next door.
– Knock, knock.
This time, it was Kang A-rin.
The door opened, and a calm, low voice drifted out from inside.
“Oh? You're here?”
Kang A-rin greeted me matter-of-factly.
I stepped into her room.
Kang A-rin was sitting in the middle of the room, sipping warm tea. She asked me what was wrong.
“No. I just have something to ask.”
I met her red eyes directly.
I sat down on the sofa across from her and asked my own question.
“Hunan Province. Do you want to come with me?”
Kang A-rin tilted her head at my question.
“You think I wouldn't?”
“Huh?”
– Slurp.
Kang A-rin took an elegant sip of her tea and stood up.
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she came and sat down next to me.
The sofa sank, and I could feel her warmth beside me.
She rested her head on my shoulder and whispered softly.
“Of course I'm going.”
Then she slowly added.
“You expect me to let you go alone?”
She grinned.
And so, Kang A-rin was settled as well.
To be honest, I'd thought it would be fine even if none of the three could come.
But now two of them had already agreed.
It felt strange.
Last was Cheon Yeo-wool.
I knocked on her door.
– Knock, knock….
– Fling!
The moment I knocked, the door flew open.
Standing in the doorway was Cheon Yeo-wool, arms crossed and a very displeased look on her face.
“Why. Am I. Last?”
She greeted me as if she'd been waiting.
“What are you talking about….”
“Just get in here.”
Just like that, I was grabbed by Cheon Yeo-wool's slender hand and dragged into her room.
– Hey, wait a minute….
– Mwah.
A long moment later, she pulled away, looking satisfied.
“From now on, come to me first. Got it?”
Stunned, all I could do was nod.
Cheon Yeo-wool was coming too.
In the end, I had gotten all three of them to agree.