Chapter 43 – Preparation
#043.
As time passed, the hour and minute hands of the clock on the wall next to the counter were about to share a reunion.
Gaon and Chorin also stood up from their chairs as they watched the people leave their seats one by one to eat.
“Gaon-san, then, are we going to go into the Devil’s Nest and catch monsters?”
“Yes, in the case of requests, there is a permanent request, but it is mainly in the form of catching monsters and bringing their by-products. Other than that, it’s all about running errands. It can be seen as a waste of time. It is much wiser to hunt monsters.”
As if Gaon had no purpose, he had a very important lifelong goal. He has to become strong for him as soon as possible, and to do that he has to catch monsters.
Of course, even if that’s not the case, he has no choice but to develop his own strength in order to live smoothly in this world.
Even though it was only for one day, Chorin calmly agreed, as if he had vaguely noticed such an atmosphere after living in Union.
“I see. If you’re weak, you’ll end up being swayed by others. Yes?”
“You’re right. So now we’re going to have lunch. There is a possibility that Chun Jae-hee has also returned.”
“Yes! I wish Jaehee was there. Ah, if you do this, you will fail the test, so is it better not to? Ahaha…”
“Certainly that is difficult. Let’s go.”
The two looked around the mercenary guild, which had become empty and desolate before they knew it, and then hurried outside.
After walking for about 10 minutes, I arrived in front of the inn, and a familiar light came into view.
Seeing a woman with a moderate figure wearing a robe, both Chorin and Gadoga happily ran to it.
“Miss Jaehee! Are you here already?”
“Ah, Mr. Chorin. That’s what I have to say.”
Despite Chorin’s words, Cheon Jaehee’s expression was not very bright. The smile slowly disappears from the corners of Chorin’s lips as he smiles awkwardly, wondering what’s bothering him so much.
Gaon felt the atmosphere between the two sinking and she asked cautiously.
“Genius Jaehee. Work… Did it go well?”
“… As soon as I said the result, it went well. That’s even more than I thought.”
“Is that so? Congratulations.”
Gaon even thought that, although it was truly a what-if, Chun Jae-hee might have failed the exam. Even though he knew that it couldn’t be because of the memories of his previous life, he was shaken for a moment.
When he let out a sigh of relief and handed over congratulations, Cheon Jae-hee hesitated before opening his mouth.
“Thank you. But, I think I will have to leave this city.”
“Yes? Jaehee is leaving? Why?”
Gaon knew that it was only a few days’ reprieve anyway, and that she would eventually leave, so she wasn’t too surprised. And in response to that reaction, Cheon Jae-hee also nodded with an expression of appreciation.
However, in the case of Cho-rin, she raised her voice and asked Cheon-hee again, asking what she was talking about.
“That’s because I was lucky enough to meet Master. You are Lienkel Heinrich, the deputy owner of the Gray Mage Tower who mainly uses transformation magic. He followed him to the capital. Really sorry.”
“That… That’s right. Congratulation. Mr. Jaehee.”
Chorin did not know what the Gray Magic Tower was or how high the rank of sub-top owner was, but he congratulated him with a bewildered expression, as if he had guessed the weight of it from Cheon Jae-hee’s tone of voice.
Although they had only been together for a week, her face slowly turned into a tear-stained expression, as if the affection accumulated during that time was quite large.
“Chorin. Are you okay. You’ll come to the capital someday anyway, right? See you then I must have learned a lot of magic and become stronger. And…”
Chun Jae-hee blurted out, glanced at Ga-on, and whispered in Cho-rin’s ear.
“If things go well with Gaon, tell me then. Got it?”
Chorin, who kept her mouth shut and lowered her head as if not wanting to see her crying, jumped up and reacted to her words.
“What do you mean? It’s not like that!”
“Really? Then can I like Gaon?”
“Oh no! … Oh! Uh, what should I do?”
Chorin reacted violently to Cheon Jae-hee’s sudden remark. As a reflex, she shouted loudly, and when Gaon looked at her incredulously, she floundered in bewilderment.
At such a reaction, Cheon Jae-hee smiled and said.
“I’m actually joking.”
“Yes?”
“Just kidding. Chorin’s reaction was so cute that I joked about it.”
At Cheon Jae-hee’s words, Cho-rin grabbed her breasts and spoke in a reproachful voice.
“You were surprised…”
As if resentful, Cheon Jae-hee couldn’t help but burst into laughter at her pouting eyes and whispered quietly.
“I will cheer you on.”
“Oh, is it not?”
“All right. Then get along.”
Chorin took off her pretense, but Chunjaehee didn’t care at all, and she said that as if she were agitated, then curled up the corners of her mouth and smiled.
Perhaps it was such an amazing story, Chorin’s crying had long since stopped. She seems worried that she might not have heard her glance at Ga-on and Cheon Jae-hee alternately.
Fortunately, however, Gaon hadn’t heard about him. To be precise, he knew that the two were having a secret conversation and intentionally blocked his hearing.
Seeing that, Chorin let out a sigh of relief, and her Cheonjaehee passed her and stood in front of Gaon.
“I owe a lot to Mr. Gaon. Come visit us when you come to the capital later! By then, she will be much stronger. I will help you with anything.”
“You are strong. Then I’ll see you later.”
“Yes. Then… I guess I’ll just have to go. Master said we have to leave before lunch is over.”
“All right. I hope you arrive safely in the capital.”
Despite Gaon’s farewell message, Cheon Jae-hee didn’t move right away. As if contemplating for a while, he met Gaon’s eyes, then looked at Chorin’s eyes, took a step to the side at an angle that obscured her gaze, and opened his mouth.
“I want to ask you one last time. Mr. Gaon, did you know about this?”
She didn’t explain what it was, but it was clear at once that the question was whether she knew that she would become a disciple of the sub-top lord of the Gray Mage Tower.
Oddly enough, looking at the transparent gray eyes filled with earnestness, Gaon smiled.
“No. I didn’t know. Although I knew she was going to the Gray Mage Tower.”
For whatever reason, it was quite unexpected for him that Heinrich Lienkel visited this place. Isn’t he too much of a bigwig to visit the youngji that is not particularly great.
In response to Gaon’s smile, Cheon Jae-hee asked another question.
“Is that so? Then… Can we meet again later?”
It is unknown what Chun Jae-hee would have thought while being with them. However, it was clear that it was a meaningful time in its own way.
Gaon nodded her head as if resolutely.
“… Of course.”
“Thank god. I look forward to that time. Then… Hi.”
Chun Jae-hee erased the darkness from his face only after hearing a confident answer. She backed away from her, waving at them.
“Miss Jaehee! See you again! Got it?”
“Yeah-! Mr Chorin. I’ll wait!”
As the same woman, sharing many memories that Gaon was unaware of, they waved their hands over and over until they couldn’t see each other.
Even if your arm hurts like it’s about to fall off, even if your eyesight blurs from the tears flowing from your eyes, keep going. Endlessly.
***
“Then Lee Cho-rin. Tomorrow, let’s go to the mercenary guild and receive a simple request to go to the Devil’s Nest.”
“Yes. … Sleep well Gaon.”
To prepare for tomorrow, the two of them returned from shopping at the upper level and parted on the stairs on the second floor after dinner.
Chorin seemed to have something to say, but she didn’t open her mouth and went back to her room.
Ever since Cheon Jae-hee left, he had a strangely gloomy atmosphere. I wanted to give him something to comfort him, but what could he say, since even ordinary emotions, let alone women’s hearts, have been twisted?
And it’s not good to say too much. First of all, it was good to wait for one more day and then comfort him, albeit clumsily.
Kiik-
Entering her room, Gaon sat down on the bed and began to take off her leather armor. This time, it was something I bought at a cheap price from the top.
The clothes they were originally wearing were so rags that they needed new clothes. Since tomorrow I will have to go into the Devil’s Palace and fight all day, so I chose it as my everyday clothes and combat clothes.
Chorin doesn’t have any special defenses, but she still has her clothes made with things that are easy to move and light.
Now, there was no chorin of clothes that would make a man angry. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little sad, but it’s less likely that the bugs will get caught, so I’m much more comfortable.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Gaon climbed onto the bed, closed his eyes, and focused on Danjeon.
‘It’s too slow.’
He had carved out all the mana rods toward his right arm to manifest an aura in preparation for an unexpected situation.
That was two weeks ago, and after that, I focused on developing and strengthening the mana load of the whole body in order to achieve balanced growth overall.
But that speed is too slow.
Two weeks had passed and I hadn’t made even 10% of it, so it was hard to say how much time it would take to get it all done.
It is said that he was able to express his aura through a half trick, but in order to reach the level of a perfect 5 star, he had to connect the mana rods of his whole body into one.
Walking on a precarious tightrope relying on a single blow that could manifest an aura like now was no different from a dangerous gamble that could lead to falling into the abyss if it was twisted.
The problem lies in the fact that Gaon does not have the conditions to insist on such a safe growth. Even tomorrow, if you go to subdue monsters with the Devil’s Eye, you may encounter an irresistible disaster, so how can you make a leisurely choice?
Even for that time, it is necessary to prepare a trump card. This will take the form of going around the road a bit, but it’s not a big deal.
A month later, if Gaon completes only the tasks he is aiming for, he will not have to take risks for a while. At that time, it is enough to fill the lagging part.
‘Can do.’
After making a rough estimate, Gaon concentrated her mana, which had been spinning around her whole body, into her left arm. In order to use the number of spleen, it was necessary to connect both arms’ mana rods with Danjeon.
How much time had passed like that?
Gaon, who had been wrestling with Mana Road for a long time, could feel his spirit.
She stood in front of the door, hesitantly reaching out and retrieving her hand, then the woman knocked on her.
─Smart
“Miss Gaon. I am Chorin Lee.”
“…”
When she looked out the window, it was already dark. What are you going to do at this late hour? Feeling curious, Gaon got down from the bed and opened the door.
Chorin’s face looked much darker than usual because it was shaded, perhaps because of the light hanging directly above it. A somber atmosphere prevails.
“Lee Cho-rin? What are you doing at this hour?”
“Ah, that’s right, Mr. Gaon. I know she’s a nuisance…”
“It’s okay. Please tell me.”
“I… Can I sleep with you today?”
“…”
She never thought that Chorin would ask such a favor.
Does she even know how dangerous her words are? If she had been a man other than Gaon, she might have recognized it as a temptation and dragged her into her room right away and attacked him.
As Gaon maintained her silence, Chorin continued her words with her head bowed.
“Sorry. But I’m afraid of myself… Since Jaehee is not there, she wonders what to do if there is a robbery while she is sleeping, and feels a little lonely. … I can’t sleep.”
Saying that she couldn’t sleep, Chorin raised her head again and looked up at Gaon earnestly. Her sparkling eyes, reflecting the light, radiate magical energy that cannot be easily rejected.
Gaon, who exhaled slowly for a while, nodded her head and stepped aside, thinking that there would be no problem with her even if he was particularly worried.
“Come on in.”
“… Excuse me.”
After Chorin entered and closed the door, Gaon stepped aside and pointed to the bed.
“Then let’s sleep here. I can sleep on the floor.”
Saying that, Chorin stopped Gaon from picking up the cloak she had bought for her homeless stay.
“No! You accepted my request, but then you have no face. Let’s sleep in the bed together.”
“But…”
No matter how strong Gaon was, he couldn’t help but feel nothing while sleeping alone with Chorin in that narrow bed.
First of all, getting an erection is basic, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep.
Whether she knew it or not, Chorin said with a light laugh.
“You already slept together in the cave. Are you okay.”
“… All right.”
If you think about it, it’s true that even though things are a little better than now, we always slept together in the same space. I feel like she’s gone a long way from paying attention to her now.
In the end, Gaon nodded at Chorin’s words and climbed onto the bed.
“Then… See you tomorrow.”
“Yes. Sleep well Gaon.”
The two lay on the bed with their backs to each other, exchanged simple greetings, and went to sleep. Of course, I couldn’t sleep at all, but I pretended to be asleep.
When Chorin was fully asleep, she intended to sneak out and meditate. She said she wouldn’t be able to sleep properly anyway. It was just wise for her to spend that time training her mana rod.
A rustling sound came to Gaon’s ears as he thought about that. At the same time, her slender arms wrapped around her waist, and a soft touch arose on her back.
