Chapter 83 – Episode 83. Bet
Jiyoon looked at me and said with a twinkle in her eyes.
“Wow, you really finally found it. You worked hard, brother.”
My companions and I are sitting huddled together in the cradle of rest.
It’s already quite cold at night, so there’s no need to sleep in a tent leaving a warm cradle of rest, right?.
I said with a small sigh at Jiyoon’s words.
“What is suffering? This is where the real trouble begins.”
“So, what does the guild leader say?”
Shi-eun’s question reminded me of a conversation with Lee Soo-ah.
-That’s the job I was looking for. I want to protect Lee Soo-ah from now on.-
-Are you saying that the job Mingu was looking for was a ‘hero’?-
-Yes, it is.-
-… What’s the reason? To protect me…
-Isn’t that obvious? The death of a hero means the defeat of a human being.-
-Yes, but… How did Mingu know about that? My manager said at the beginning that no one except me knew the rules of the game…-
-Well, let’s keep it my secret. The important thing is that you are not very strong right now, and I have the power to protect you. Would you admit that?-
-Yes, you can tell just by looking at today’s battle. Min-gu’s great power is…
-So, I intend to protect you until you have the strength to be worthy of the profession of a warrior. If you want to know the truth of this statement, you can use the ‘Detection’ skill.-
-… No. I believe-
“…So, did the guild leader decide to accept his brother’s protection?”
I nodded my head at Jiyoon’s question.
“Huh. I decided to accept it.”
-I will accept Mingu’s favor. I will work hard and become stronger quickly. I will develop the power to defeat the demon king… And try to end this dog game as soon as possible. Until then, please take care of me.-
Listening to what Lee Soo-ah had to say, even using a somewhat violent expression, Si-eun spoke in a worried voice.
“The hero seems to have a very strong will to finish this game. That’s not what oppa and we want…”
“Therefore. That’s the biggest problem Protecting the hero from dying is to protect it, but if you really get really strong later and cut down the demon king… That’s not what I want either.”
“If that doesn’t work out, just like the master said before, cutting off limbs and leaving them alive…”
I looked at Jisoo, and Jisoo hurriedly lowered her head and avoided my eyes.
Hmm, originally, Jisoo wasn’t a good kid.
I stroked Jisoo’s head, and only then Jisoo put on a somewhat relieved expression.
“Of course, I had thought of that too, but… When I thought about it, it seemed a bit dangerous. If I cut off the limbs of the hero and leave him alive, but when the demon king descends and I can’t handle the demon king… In the end, I’m going to lose.”
“Oh, I see.”
“I can’t lay my hands on the hero like this. You just have to protect it well so that it doesn’t die and let it grow in strength. And you shouldn’t exceed the power of the demon king, and you shouldn’t fall behind… Eh, it’s not easy.”
“… It would be nice if the warriors also agreed with our will… That would be difficult, right?”
I shook my head at Shi-eun’s question.
“I think that would be difficult. The hero is now expressing great anger against the game itself.
Because it was a game that took away her sister and brother-in-law, who were her only family. I just wanted to make this game disappear as soon as possible. Well, even if you’re not a hero, that’s probably what everyone else thinks as well.”
“I see.. It must not be easy.”
I lay down on Jiyoon’s lap and said.
“Well, since we have time. Let’s not think too fast. Even the demon lord will still need some time to descend. Until then, think of a good way.”
“Heh, what a stupid idea. Trying to maintain balance while weighing the strength between the Demon King and the hero. It would be absolutely impossible.”
At the voice mixed with cynicism, I got up from Jiyoon’s lap and looked at the owner of the voice.
After receiving my gaze, Juniel looked startled for a moment, but then looked straight at me.
I said to Juniel.
“If there is something you want to say, do it properly.”
At my words, Juniel stretched out his chest and confidently continued his words.
“It is literally. Master’s plan is too outrageous. Demon King-sama’s first goal is to annihilate the hero. Likewise, the hero’s first goal is to defeat the demon lord. Coordinating in the middle against those two and continuing the fight for a long time without ending it? Do you really think that’s possible? I don’t think that will be possible even if the sky falls.”
Why is he suddenly doing that?
If it were the usual Juniel, he wouldn’t interfere in our conversation.
I said to Juniel with my doubts.
“Wouldn’t it be possible if I somehow returned the hero’s heart and sought cooperation?”
Juniel snorted at my words.
“Returning the hero’s heart so that he can help the master with what he wants to do? Can’t that be possible? I’ll make a prophecy. The hero will eventually fight the Demon King. And in that fight, he will lose his life by the Demon Lord. If that happens, this game will end with the victory of the Demon King’s Army.”
Hmm? How about a provocation?
Seriously, why is he doing that?
Okay, let’s hang out a little bit.
“Do you really think so? Good. Then I will make a prophecy. The hero will change his mind and help me not to end this game forever.”
“Ha, that can’t be-“
“I definitely said it when I first met you. You’ll be buried under me and you’ll wail and howl. What happened to you after that? Didn’t he groan and howl under me?”
At my words, Juniel exclaimed in a fit of anger.
“Ooh, I didn’t cry!”
“Is it? So it wasn’t much of a howl, let’s just say it was a whimper. Anyway, I’m the one who did what you thought could never happen. Again, you say it will be absolutely impossible… But I think it will be possible.”
“Huh, heh! It really won’t happen this time. Good. If the master is so confident, why don’t he make a bet?”
“Bet?”
Ha, I thought that Juniel, who usually doesn’t say much, was talking a lot today, but that was the purpose?
It’s obvious that it’s a stupid trick, but…
Cute. Let’s go over it once
I looked at Juniel and asked.
“What bet?”
When I seemed to be interested, Juniel told me with a look that he was right.
“It is as I said before. Master is betting on the side that says he can change the hero’s mind and manipulate it as he wants, and I’m betting on the impossible. The deadline is… 6 months. Isn’t it simple?”
“Hmm, I think the deadline is a bit tight, but… OK. Then, since it’s a bet, you’re betting something, right? What will Juniel bet?”
“I… I’ll bet my heart.”
Do you mind What do you mean?
I tilted my head and asked Juniel.
“Are you mindful? Talk in detail.”
At my words, Juniel spoke with a serious expression.
“As you know, Master, even though my body belongs to you, my heart never belongs to you. You know that?”
Of course you know.
It’s something I’ve heard before.
I had no choice but to give the body to me, but I heard that the heart belongs to the one Juniel calls ‘him’.
I nodded and Juniel continued his words.
“If the master returns the hero’s heart within the deadline, I will offer my heart to the master. I will devote my body and mind to following and serving you with all my heart. I will definitely keep my promise in the name of Junieres de Goose, the former commander of the 3rd Demon King Corps.”
Hmm, give all your heart.
I know for sure that Juniel’s heart is not mine.
Just look at that rude attitude. Is that your attitude toward the landlord?
Of course, as the owner of the body, you can bully and educate yourself here and there, but…
A person with a personality like Juniel would never give me his heart, even if his heart would be completely broken.
However, as a person with such a personality, if I really win the bet, I will do my best to keep my promise.
Because that’s Juniel.
There is no reason for me to refuse this bet because turning the hero’s heart is something I must do, and it is also something I will do.
“.. Good. It’s okay. Conversely, if you win. If I can’t change the hero’s heart within the deadline and you win, what do you want from me?”
At my words, Juniel’s eyes sparkle.
Because he wanted this, he must have even induced him to intervene in our conversation.
Juniel looked at me for a moment, but then spoke up.
“… Give me freedom.”
“.. To be free? Are you saying you want to leave me and return to the Demon King’s army? To the guy called ‘him’?”
Juniel shook his head at my words.
“Even if I leave my master and go back to him, that is not freedom. In the end, being the master’s subordinate will not change.”
“Then…”
“Cancel the subordination contract.”
Juniel talking to me with determined eyes.
“..Do you know what it means to terminate the contract of subordination?”
“Of course I know. It must be going back to death.”
.. Ha, did I hate my life as a subordinate so much?
To the point where you wouldn’t mind going back to death?
Considering Juniel’s personality, it’s understandable to some extent, but as the owner, it’s a bit bittersweet.
This bet is absolutely guaranteed to win.
I’ll win Juniel’s heart, and I’ll thoroughly remodel your mind so that you’ll be happy with your life as my subordinate.
I said while glaring at Juniel.
“Good. Okay. If you win, I will.”
In fact, I don’t know how to terminate the subordination contract.
But if Juniel really wants it.
I plan to make Juniel’s body so fragmented that it is difficult to regenerate so that he can return to death.
Because you want it that way
However, that will never happen.
Because I will definitely, definitely turn the hero’s heart.
At my answer, Juniel put on a very happy expression.
It became what you wanted, right?
Seeing you like that makes me a little pissed off.
I said to the delighted Juniel.
“As your master, I accepted your bet with you as you wished. So, you too, do your best until the bet deadline and fulfill your role as my subordinate. If I just say something, don’t grumble.”
“My, I won’t be cheap when… Kuh-hum, okay. During the half year while the bet is being made, I will do my best to help my master.”
Juniel, who was about to get angry, nodded.
Seeing Juniel like that, I stood up and said,
“Good. Then let’s get started right away.”
“Start? What are you starting with?”
Juniel looks at me with his eyes wide open.
“You decided to properly fulfill your role as my subordinate. And did I promise you earlier? I’ll let you recover up to the 200 stats you wanted.”
Juniel hardened his face at my words.
“What does it mean to be faithful to your role as my subordinate? Doesn’t it mean that you get stronger quickly and help me a lot in my work? Right guys?”
“Yes, of course, brother.”
“Your words are right.”
“Yes, brother.”
Sieun, Jiyoon, and Jisoo unanimously answer my words.
Aww cute things.
Juniel looks at me with embarrassed eyes.
“Come on, let’s do it quickly. I have to go to the store too.”
I smiled refreshingly and said to Juniel.
“Take it off.”
