episode_0021

“I’m sorry!”

With a strong shout, Meonyangi bowed his head 90 degrees.

The recipient of her apology was none other than the kind female employee who had initially helped me and Meonyangi.

“Oh my. Hana, why do you keep bowing your head so regretfully?”

Despite the reassurance from the employee with raised hands, our Meonyangi had no intention of getting up.

“I’m truly sorry.”

“Oh dear…”

* * *

30 minutes earlier.

Having completed all preparations, Meonyangi and I met in front of the “Guild” headquarters building.

“……”

“……”

Without saying a word, we smiled faintly at each other and quietly shook hands.

“How’s your condition?”

I asked, to which Meonyangi nodded with a smile.

Clutching her cute fists tightly, she energetically replied, “It’s great!”

A fiery passion burning in her eyes.

As we prepared for what might be our last chance, I couldn’t help but smile, knowing that we were both geared up differently from when we first met.

‘…Not that the grade has improved or anything.’

There’s a backstory to this.

Originally, Meonyangi had planned to buy an Uncommon-grade shield even if it meant stretching her budget.

‘Wasn’t it priced at 35 million won?’

This was only possible because Im Hyeja loved Meonyangi and charged her the original price.

It’s sold for over 50 million won in stores…

‘What a waste.’

I immediately opposed it.

― No, Hana. You don’t need to waste money like that.

―…Meow? B-but…even one grade higher makes a huge difference between Normal and Uncommon.

―It’s okay. Trust me.

I assured her that the shield she currently had was sufficient.

The reason being that both she and I would be acquiring new equipment this time around.

Equipment of the Rare grade, to be precise.

So, instead of the shield, she purchased something else.

“Have you equipped it?”

In response to my question, the quick-witted Meonyangi pulled out the shield to show me.

There wasn’t much of a difference, but notably, there was a slot inside the shield.

And within it, a smooth, glowing gem.

[Shineri].

An artifact that grants the owner the “Transparent Vision” attribute beyond the shield, exclusively for the owner.

‘It cost 50 million won.’

I provided the funds on behalf of the guild.

―I’d rather take on the debt. There’s no need to spend your precious money, Seha!

―Oh, we’re in this together. We share finances.

―…Still.

―Don’t worry. We can earn more than this.

After some back and forth, we joined the guild and are now diligently bowing our heads.

“I’m really sorry. I want to quit being a hunter. Please withdraw my request.”

“Hana.”

“Even though the settlement has probably been made, I’ll find a way-”

“-I haven’t done it.”

“…What?”

The female employee winked at a surprised Meonyangi.

“I never reported it in the first place.”

“…Why…?”

“Because I believed in you. I knew Hana wouldn’t give up and would come back.”

“…Ah.”

Then, turning towards me, she nodded her head slightly.

“Thank you, Seha. Hana has regained her light because of you, I’m sure.”

There’s nothing I can do.

I’m just a regular receptionist.

“So…please take care of Hana for us.”

“Don’t worry.”

Satisfied with the response, the female employee rummaged through a drawer and placed two items on the table.

One was the E-grade hunter card made of bronze that Meonyangi had returned.

And the other was…

“This is the official party contract that Yuseha mentioned over the phone.”

“….!”

At those words, Meonyangi trembled as if shocked.

Staring blankly at me with her mouth slightly agape, it was quite embarrassing.

“….Yuseha…nim.”

Her eyes seemed to be slightly teary, showing signs of being deeply moved.

Well, her reaction isn’t unreasonable.

Just a single piece of paper, but it holds great significance.

It’s not about hastily throwing together a party for a day or two; it’s a formal partnership contract where we commit to being together for a long time.

At first glance, it might seem ordinary, but this contract contained one very powerful element of the agreement: an oath.

A binding application form with ‘Roots,’ as explained by Moon Bora, as collateral.

An agreement that must be upheld unconditionally by the ‘Awakened,’ forcing a heavy price upon betrayal.

In essence, it was like me saying to Mnyang, “I will never betray you.”

And I will definitely keep that promise.

So please, trust me too.

“…”

Sniffles.

Mnyang, with teary eyes, looked up at me hesitantly.

As she had never written anything like this before, her emotions would surely be doubled.

“Can I really… be with someone like me?”

“Of course. And now that I mention it, promise me one thing.”

“A promise?”

I leaned in, meeting her gaze, and extended my pinky finger towards her.

“Do not belittle yourself.”

“…!”

“Expect to rise. I will lift you up so high that you won’t bow your head to anyone.”

“…Yes!”

*

A little later, the two of us communicated in a private room provided by the guild.

With a secure system in place, we could share information without worry.

“…I wish we could enter the gate right away.”

There was a need to provide her with some direction.

“Mhna.”

“Yes!”

“…Could you show me your status window?”

Without hesitation, Mnyang handed me a translucent window.

I examined it carefully, expressing gratitude.

◉Name: Mhna

◉Gender: Female (19 years old)

◉Rank: 2☆(☆☆)

◉Class: [Guardian]

◉Stats

[Strength: 6] [Magic: 1]

[Speed: 10] [Mind: 4]

[Endurance: 8] [Divinity: 0]

◉Unique Abilities

【Nekomata’s Luck Lv.1】

【??? Lv.1】

◉Resistances

[Poison: 5]

◉Traits

*Uncommon

[Cat’s Intuition Lv.1]

*Normal

[Shield Lv.3] [Night Vision Lv.3] [Inadequate Porter Lv.2] [Dagger Lv.2] [Basic Butchery Lv.1]

◉Skills

*Uncommon

[Raise Shield Lv.1]

◉Ultimate Skill

:-

◉【Backup】

⦁(p): Unopened

⦁(A): Unopened

◉Equipment

-Strangely sturdy alloy shield

-Top: Old Spryte Leather Armor (Normal)

-Bottom: Old Spryte Leather Pants (Normal)

Hmm, as expected.

“There must have been a reason for Moon Bora’s words.”

Upon inspection, several issues immediately caught my eye.

“Overall stats are too weak.”

While speed qualifies her as a tank, the rest falls short.

Just to clarify, Mnyang’s lackluster performance is not due to laziness or lack of effort.

In fact, having six traits is evidence of hard work, even if it resulted in bone-crushing disappointment.

“She even has resistances.”

Resistance isn’t a stat given from the start.

The fact that she can handle all sorts of poisons, touching and dealing with toxins, speaks volumes about her efforts.

“Even her divinity.”

Divinity isn’t a starting stat.

She must have experienced handling various poisons, getting poisoned, and detoxifying herself with those fern-like hands.

Despite her hard work, she fails to shine.

There’s only one explanation for this.

“Talent.”

Both Moon Bora and Im Hyeja, including Mhna herself, acknowledge and speak of talent with a sharp edge.

This talent, akin to a mountain, obstructs Mhna’s progress by erecting an impenetrable barrier.

“It’s only natural.”

In ‘Gosla,’ it was possible to grow using paid items based on ‘Enemy Stones.’

Here, aside from parcels sent to me, there are no such convenience items.

So how does one grow?

Here, talent shines brightly.

“Talent equals rank.”

Commonly, the talent one inherently possesses speaks for itself.

Based on this, the efforts of characters and map controllers combine to break limits. That is growth.

In that sense, it’s true that Mahana has the worst conditions.

Rather, I’m astonished at the haste being displayed now.

“…She was a 2★.”

Mahana is undoubtedly a natural 1-star character.

This means she raised her rank through her own efforts.

“You passed the 2-star test?”

“Yes, yes. At that time… my father was still alive, so… I received help in many ways. And the conditions were easy…”

“By the way, what kind?”

“Hunting. Hunt 50 monsters of your own rank.”

Indeed, she managed to get the easiest one.

Perhaps it’s the result of the luck she possesses.

“Still impressive.”

After all, extracting those conditions is more difficult than simply advancing.

Anyway, she currently had no quick solution.

“With low rank, slow potential development, and no resources or connections to buy quick-acting elixirs.”

But if she’s going to talk weak like that, she shouldn’t have said anything in the first place.

“There’s a saying about this.”

Crisis equals opportunity.

Ironically, being in such a dire state meant there was still room for further growth.

The nurturing method I thought of as soon as I saw Meonyangi.

A method to swiftly silence those who talk about talent and such, climbing up the stairs swiftly.

The key lies in the ‘pure’ state.

“A term referring to a state of emptiness without consuming any elixirs or potions.”

I asked Mahana directly, and although she tried some herbs, she confirmed she hadn’t properly taken any elixirs.

If she had taken them, she would have dealt with it accordingly, but it was best not to take any.

“I’m aiming for this too.”

Hidden pieces, you know.

Through the status window, I confirmed that this guy, Yuseha, also showed no signs of any enhancements.

So, he should meet the entry requirements for ‘that place.’

Oh, by the way, aren’t premium items considered elixirs? You might think so, but no.

Originally, it makes sense to adhere to the conditions.

However, they are ‘premium’ goods.

If they set conditions that can’t be met, 99% of map controllers would protest, and the GM isn’t foolish enough to do that.

“…Wait a minute.”

Only then did I notice two unique abilities.

Among them, I noticed one labeled as [???].

“Um, Mahana. There’s a ??? in the unique abilities… Do you happen to know what it is?”

“…! C-Can you see it?”

A surprised Mahana explained that no one had noticed it except her father until now.

And she herself didn’t know either.

It was something written since the day she awakened her ability.

Come to think of it, Moonbora must have surely looked at the status window, but she didn’t say anything special.

“Oh, could Meonyangi be a Jin-gol?”

Jin-gol.

There isn’t a proper name for it, but it’s one of the terms roughly used by map controllers.

When you draw the same character with gacha, there’s a very low chance that a character with a rare skill will come out.

“…But Meonyangi is already well-known, and even if it’s valuable, it’s probably just rare…”

Questions continued to arise, but I decided to move on.

There’s nothing I can do about it right now.

“This concludes the analysis and direction.”

Now it’s time to share our thoughts.

“Mahana, I have a few important requests.”

“Yes! Please tell me.”

“Even if you don’t believe it yourself… I understand that you suspect me.”

Hmm.

Meonyangi’s shoulders twitched at my words.

My actions are likely to raise suspicions.

And in the future, they will raise even more suspicion.

No, they will go beyond suspicion.

People will inevitably doubt where I got this information from, what my identity is.

“But as I vowed at the forge, I won’t care at all.”

Of course, I don’t go around shouting, “I know all the hidden pieces and the future to anyone.”

I’m someone who can read between the lines.

Those who show this side of themselves without reservation are only precious characters to me.

I won’t hide anything from them.

Even if a moment of regret may come with their actions, they won’t stop.

“You’re welcome to doubt. You’re welcome to be cautious. In the worst case, you’re welcome to leave. Just one thing…”

Please know that everything I do is for you.

“I ask of you.”

“……”

As I bowed my head, Meonyangi fell silent.

Blushing slightly, she fidgeted with her fingers.

“…I’m actually sorry…for trusting you like this…and doubting…”

“Even if I were Mahana, it would be natural to doubt.”

“…I will trust you. Whatever happens…I will trust you.”

“Thank you. Now, there is one last and most important request remaining.”

“W-What is it?”

Meonyangi looked up with a cute fist clenched tightly.

So adorable.

Anyway, forget about growth, hidden pieces, talents – this is the most crucial thing.

None of it matters!

None of it is needed!

Ah! Since we first met, I’ve been itching to resolve this, it’s been bothering me so much.

“Let’s drop the formalities.”

“…Pardon?”

“Let’s drop them, we’re peers after all.”

Seemingly bewildered, but I was serious.

In the game, hearing “Are you the guide? Welcome. We’ve been waiting.” in a relaxed manner always made me feel at ease.

“Using honorifics is fine, but…I want us to be even more comfortable with each other by speaking informally.”

As I gazed at her with fiery eyes, she blushed slightly and turned her head away.

“…My, my father said that men and women dropping formalities is…the first step towards becoming adults…is this that?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“No, nothing! Ah, no. Yeah, got it. I’ll rely on you. Sehaya.”

“I’m the one who should rely on you. Meonyang!”

I deliberately emphasized the nickname as I spoke.

Meonyangi looked momentarily surprised at my words.

Then, she smiled brightly like an angel.

*

Ten minutes later, after finishing all preparations, we headed straight for the gate.

“Then, I’ll pray for good luck.”

The female staff member who came to see us off along with the reception.

“We’ll be back.”

“We’ll return.”

We energetically responded, nodding at each other.

We took slow steps forward.

Immediately after, a wave of blue light completely engulfed us.