Ch.41Someone’s Memory (E)

# 41. Someone’s Memory (E)

[Rank – S]

[S-rank exclusive options have been added.]

[The basic rewards (S-rank) are as follows:]

[Level Up 2]

[Free Stat Points 2]

[Achievement ‘Purifier of Spirits’]

[Title ‘Spirit Counselor’]

[(New) Purifier of Spirits: Successfully purified a corrupted spirit.]

[It is said that the once-corrupted spirit shed tears of gratitude.]

[(New) Spirit Counselor: Purified a corrupted spirit.]

[The very fact that you ‘counseled’ a spirit proves you are an impressive and respectable person. At least mentally.]

[Slight increase in affinity with spirits, Will +1, Mana +1]

A feast of reward messages that brought joy just by looking at them. Whether it was because we were on a higher floor or because of the increased difficulty, the basic rewards seemed better than before.

‘The new title and achievement… nothing immediately useful.’

I’m sure I’ll hit the jackpot with these eventually. Actually, what I got in the Starting Room was already overpowered, so I couldn’t really complain.

Still, “Spirit Counselor” was a decently good title. I probably wouldn’t use it, but you never know. There might come a time when a slight increase in spirit affinity could be useful.

“Ohhh. So this is how I was packaged when I arrived, right?”

[You have selected Someone’s Memory as your choice reward.]

As the time for selection (gacha) approached, Saex looked around with interest. She was particularly fascinated by the seven alphabets floating in the air.

“S was for Unnie, and A was for me, right?”

“That’s right. This time it’s your turn to choose.”

“But is there really no connection between these?”

I had previously dismissed the idea, but now I wasn’t so sure. More accurately, I hadn’t really had a reason or time to think about it before.

Should I try to make a plausible guess now? Though even if I figured it out, it wouldn’t affect the selection or outcome, so I wasn’t particularly motivated.

Still, since Saex was curious, we calmed our excitement a bit and discussed it.

“Come to think of it, these alphabets. They look so significant but they’re actually quite simple?”

“Huh?”

“These are our surnames, aren’t they?”

Oh?

I blinked, looking back and forth between the alphabets and the team members.

V (me, Ban Seong-hyun)

E

R

I

T

A (Saex, A Yuri)

S (Keutjukyeora, Seon Se-yeon)

Is that really it? Was it this all along? It seemed right. It really was that simple.

“I bet the captain and unnie didn’t think of it because it was too obvious to even consider!”

“I think you’re right, Yuri. Our Yuri is not only strong but smart too.”

“Pfft! Unnie, when you talk like that, you sound just like my aunt.”

“W-what? Do I look that old?”

“No! My aunt was the nicest person among all my relatives!”

A warm atmosphere continued. It felt a bit strange compared to previous reward selections.

I felt my sense of guilt gradually fading, perhaps because there were now more people to share it with.

Hmm.

Let’s not think too deeply about it.

“Yuri. Have you decided?”

“Even though we figured this out, it’s still disappointing that we don’t know who’s who, but I’ve decided!”

“Oh. What will it be?”

“E!”

Saex pointed her index finger at E.

“Since the captain is V, I have a feeling that E next to V might be Vice-Captain Yebeop! I think Yebeop could fill in a lot of what our team is missing. What do you think?”

“I’ve delegated this choice to you, so you don’t need to ask me.”

“Okay! Then E it is!”

Saex extended her finger and tapped E.

By now, I was used to the sudden change in vision, and this time I even felt a bit of anticipation about whose memory it would be.

**

“What’s the point of trying so hard? What, are you getting greedy because everyone keeps saying how pretty you are, how smart you are, how capable you are, how talented you are, how good you are at managing people?”

“No. Never.”

Even when I try hard, all I get is this kind of talk. I wonder what they’d say if I didn’t try at all.

“No? Never? Do you think I’m just trying to find fault with you? I wouldn’t be talking like this if I was the only one who felt this way. I’m taking the bullet here. Usually, I wouldn’t care about someone like you, wouldn’t have the time, wouldn’t want to bother.”

I see. Ah, what an honor. Should I say that?

“I’m sorry.”

“Someone watching might think you’re trying to squeeze out an apology. Huh?”

“I’ll be more mindful of my behavior.”

“Tsk.”

*Click*

“Finally gone.”

This is exhausting. Either let me go completely, or stop discriminating and properly see and acknowledge me.

Others don’t know, or they only see fragments and envy me… Well. I admit I’m materially better off than those who are absolutely poor, but can I say I’m spiritually wealthy too?

If someone calls this the complaint of the well-fed, I have nothing to say.

But I can say this.

I’m neither here nor there, and I’m not happy.

“…”

I’m not asking to be happy at this point. I just wish they’d either ignore me completely or not at all.

If I had been truly unhappy, would I have made an extreme choice?

I don’t know. But I probably wouldn’t have.

Because it would be a waste.

A waste of all the time I’ve put in.

A waste of all those moments when I tried a little harder, hoping someone might see me, might acknowledge me.

I hate the saying “a needle in a sack.”

Because this world is terrifying, full of people who can bury or break that needle.

So today, too, I escape into a very sturdy pouch that no needle can ever pierce.

**

[From JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: YebeopNojeong]

[From JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: YebeopNojeong]

[From JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: YebeopNojeong]

[From JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: YebeopNojeong]

[From JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: YebeopNojeong]

[To JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: I told you]

[To JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: I’m not interested]

[To JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Why are you so persistent]

“Why has this person been bothering me since yesterday?”

[From JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Come on, just once]

[From JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Just talk with me in detail once, please?]

[To JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Why?]

[From JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Because there’s no talent like YebeopNojeong!!!]

“Talent like YebeopNojeong…?”

Normally, I wouldn’t be tempted by such words. But after what happened today, they somehow seeped into my heart.

Fine. It’s just a conversation, so maybe I’ll listen.

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: I happened to see a video of YebeopNojeong]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: It was absolutely insane]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Burst DPS is basic, but managing aggro while weaving in short bursts? Kya-! Pure art!]

Why is this person making me feel so flustered?

I don’t dislike it. I don’t dislike it, but…

[YebeopNojeong: Many people are good at control]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Of course there are many. But you’re also excellent at coordination.]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Being good at controlling your own character is a basic quality for rankers]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: But having the ability to see the whole picture and utilize it is another skill entirely]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: And being a Sorcerer, your class is perfect]

“This isn’t just simple flattery.”

[YebeopNojeong: So]

[YebeopNojeong: You want me to be your raid leader?]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Vice-leader]

“What?”

After all that praise, vice-leader?

[YebeopNojeong: Why?]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Well, I’m the leader, of course. You’re excellent, but I think I have more experience and ability in that area. I know the strategies inside out]

I can’t accept this.

It might just be a raid team in a game, but even here I can’t be the best?

[YebeopNojeong: Then I’m not interested]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Hey, I bet you’ll change your mind once we work together]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: How about this then]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: I’ll invite 6 of my friends]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: We’ll take turns giving orders against the same raid boss]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: One boss each that we’re confident with, plus one randomly selected, making it best of 3]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: We’ll evaluate based on time, number of attempts, and deaths, and if I win]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: You’ll join us?]

“Ah, I see.”

So you’re a ranker too.

[YebeopNojeong: Call]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: That’s a deal! No backing out!!!]

Looking back now, that call was an excellent decision that made my life happy for about a year, even though I lost the competition.

I don’t know who they were, but they were truly a grateful person. The raid leader.

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: YebeopNojeong]

[YebeopNojeong: ?]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: What does your nickname mean? I’ve been curious!]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me]

[YebeopNojeong: It’s an abbreviation]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Abbreviation?]

[YebeopNojeong: “From ancient times, mages are traditionally old men”]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Oh]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: But why isn’t your character an old man?]

[YebeopNojeong: There’s no option in character creation]

[YebeopNojeong: So might as well make it pretty]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Fair point]

No pressure.

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Yebeop]

[YebeopNojeong: ?]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: What do you think of our raid members?]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: I think they’re pretty good]

[YebeopNojeong: Yeah]

[YebeopNojeong: They’re good]

[YebeopNojeong: The leader selected them carefully]

[YebeopNojeong: They’re trustworthy]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Oh]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: (preening emoticon)]

Small moments of laughter.

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Yebeop Yebeop]

[YebeopNojeong: ??]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: This Mensima raid]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: It looks really tough]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: And it’s on Sunday]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: We might not clear it before I have to go to work]

[YebeopNojeong: We’ll clear it for sure]

[YebeopNojeong: But I have no intention]

[YebeopNojeong: Of forcing anyone to sacrifice their real life]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Oh]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: Thanks for understanding]

[JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow: (bowing emoticon)]

Despite having pride, stubbornness, and ambition, they didn’t hesitate to consider the raid members. They were truly a good person. Such a person…

**

*Buzz*

[In addition to the individuals you asked about, dozens of people have been reported missing, and it seems to be connected to the game you were playing. It’s likely related to this situation as well.]

[I’ll look into it further and contact you again.]

[VERITAS] (3/6)

– UjikhanDwitMun (Online)

– MuleunDabeulAlgoIssda (Online)

– MulliChiryoSa (Online)

– JanDarkIsASaintYouKnow (Offline) 7 days ago

– Saex (Offline) 5 days ago

– Keutjukyeora (Offline) 6 days ago

“…I won’t call you a bastard, so just tell me you’re alive.”

I’ll forgive you, so come back quickly.