Ch.91Someone’s Memory (R)

# 91. Someone’s Memory (R)

“Ugh…”

How much time had passed? I was pretty sure I hadn’t fainted, but my mind was drifting in and out as if I hadn’t slept for two nights.

Suddenly feeling something soft yet rough against my face, I turned to see Danya rubbing and licking my face frantically.

“Nyaaang…”

[Wake up… please….]

Seeing her cry so pitifully, my condition must not have been good. I asked her to both reassure her and assess the situation.

“Danya… how long has it been…?”

“Nyat! Nyanyanyat!”

[Ah, you’re awake! Hmm, roughly 20 minutes? No. About 15 minutes have passed!]

When I spoke to her, Danya was overjoyed, practically jumping. Seeing her startle and leap before landing gracefully, I thought, “A cat is still a cat after all.”

“Nyat! Nyanyanyaang!”

[Hey! Going for my belly at a time like this! I was worried for nothing!]

It felt like hours had passed, so this was unexpected. I guess each minute felt incredibly long because I was trying to endure without fainting while in such poor condition. Not a bad thing.

At least I was alive, and Yuri must have recovered quite a bit too. If something had happened to Yuri, Danya’s tone would have been much more serious.

“How’s Yuri?”

“Nyaang! Nyanyaang!”

[She’s recovering better than expected! I guess she’s just naturally resilient!]

Hearing this confirmation put my mind at ease. Yuri was saved, so now the main party was the concern… We had already planned the strategy, persuaded Soyu noona, and with Subin there, I had to believe they would manage well.

Since Yuri and I were effectively out of combat, all I could do was pray.

‘We’ve planned up to Plan B and C, so please just don’t get hurt.’

Holy Knight, Elemental Sorcerer, Arc Bishop.

Though lacking some flexibility, it was one of the best combinations for holding ground and counterattacking.

I wriggled like a worm, rolling over to where Yuri was lying, and took her hand while desperately praying (despite being non-religious).

God, Buddha, Subin-nim, Danya-nim

Seyeon, Soyu noona

Muldabal and Dwitmun who might be somewhere

And foolish Yuri recovering with my blood

Please give us strength.

Perhaps my desperate plea reached the heavens.

As Yuri’s fingers twitched, a message appeared.

[Despite being significantly outnumbered, you successfully utilized terrain and allies to gradually deplete enemy forces, create confusion, and ultimately achieve total victory. Although you faced mortal danger, there were no witnesses, and you instilled overwhelming fear in the enemies. The enemies will have much more to worry about now.]

[Evaluation in progress.]

“We succeeded!”

“Nyat!”

[You startled me!]

The appearance of the message meant we had cleared it.

There were no casualties, and the comments about instilling “overwhelming fear” in the enemies and making them “have much more to worry about” suggested it was a very successful clear.

Given the nature of linked quests, where previous quests affect subsequent ones, the result message was extremely important, and this level of commentary was top-tier.

If only we weren’t lying here in this state, we would have saved both our dignity and our reputation.

“Yuri.”

Our Yuri. Whether the next floor would have the next half-elf quest as predicted, or if this floor was irregular and would have a general field like the lower floors…

‘In this short time, I’ve thought a lot about how to scold you.’

Whatever the outcome, I would definitely scold Yuri. And myself too.

Yuri’s contribution in the middle phase was certainly impressive. Thanks to her moving around freely as planned, herding was easier, and we reduced their numbers significantly.

But she went too far, and ultimately disobeyed my orders and strategy, putting the entire raid party, including myself, in danger.

And I couldn’t escape responsibility for placing her alone.

‘Still, if we get an S rank… maybe I’ll scold her a little less?’

Originally, I didn’t even hope for it. One person nearly died, and I not only missed the most important all-out attack but also retired completely.

But seeing that message made me hopeful.

Everyone in the party was safe, and if the rewards were good too, that would be perfect.

[Rank – S]

“That’s right—-!!! Cough- Cough- Uweeeeek-!”

“Nyaaaaaang!!”

[What’s wrong!! Calm down! I said calm down!]

“…Oh, fa?”

“Yu, ri. Cough, we, got, S rank, uweeeeek-“

“This is, sssex… uweeeeek-“

“Nyaaaaaang!!!”

[These two are weird!!!]

Though we were still not fully recovered, spitting blood with every movement, we could momentarily forget the pain completely.

The scolding could wait a little.

**

Determining someone’s safety can vary greatly depending on the criteria.

Person A might think someone is safe if their limbs are attached and they’re breathing, while Person B might believe they need to be able to move on their own.

Why am I suddenly saying this?

I was closer to B, but it seemed the system was more like A.

“Kyaah! Yuri! Captain!”

“Subin! Cough, no, what is this.”

“Nyat? Nyanyanyat!”

[What, what? Where is this!]

When we gathered in the usual reward room, we were all shocked at the sight of each other. Seyeon and Soyu noona collapsed upon seeing Yuri, and my heart sank when I saw the unconscious Subin.

‘At least we’re automatically gathered in the reward room.’

Three out of five were in bad shape. Even one of the two who seemed okay didn’t look mentally well.

I painfully embraced Danya, who was on edge from the sudden change in environment, and spoke to Seyeon, who was silently shedding tears beside Yuri.

“Seyeon.”

“Sniff, yes, Captain.”

“Soyu noona doesn’t seem to be in any condition to talk right now, and Subin is like that, so you’ll have to tell me… first, shouldn’t we choose from those?”

I pointed to the alphabets where only R and T were now glowing brightly.

“It would normally be Soyu noona’s turn, but that would be difficult, right?”

“Yes… after giving Subin unnie emergency treatment, she’s just been sitting beside her. She’s not in a normal state.”

“Yuri and I are having trouble moving too, so you’ll have to help us out. But… greeting someone in this state is a bit, well, awkward, isn’t it?”

Seyeon hung her head as if at a loss for words.

It would be hard enough to convince someone while looking healthy, let alone explaining why we ‘brought’ them here while we’re all half-dead.

It would look like the desperate thrashing of a drowning person trying to take others down too.

“Our potions are depleted, and we can’t guarantee we can stay in the reward room forever. We need proper rest and food, so I think we have no choice.”

“Right. I guess so. Then Seyeon, who do you think we should bring?”

“Muldabal-nim.”

“Right?”

The elementalist Muldabal, or the ranger Dwitmun.

I had thought of Dwitmun as the next member while saving Yuri, but given our party’s terrible condition now, I leaned toward Muldabal.

“But since we don’t know who’s who, it’s a fifty-fifty chance.”

“I… guess so.”

“I’m fine with either. Actually, even if Muldabal comes, she might not be able to contract with a water spirit right away. So don’t feel too pressured.”

“Yes, Captain.”

While Seyeon approached the alphabets, I explained the situation to Danya, who looked like she was dying of curiosity, and thought to myself.

‘I said I’m fine with either, but I really hope Muldabal comes. Really.’

I could see Seyeon going back and forth between R and T, deep in thought. Without any expectations, I asked Danya, who was nestled in my arms.

“Which one of those two feels more appealing to you?”

“Nyah.”

[That one.]

Danya raised her front paw and pointed to the left.

At the same time, Seyeon finished her deliberation and stopped moving.

It was R.

**

“Teacher Yehyun. Are you really not interested?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m not in the right mindset for that these days. I’m sorry.”

“Aing. He’s such a good man. It’s such a waste, such a waste.”

“Ahaha….”

Ah~

I’m tired, so tired~

Is it my age that’s the problem~

Or is it because of my profession that I get so many recommendations~

Thirty-one isn’t that old in this day and age~

But since turning thirty, I keep getting suggestions about blind dates and marriage, so I guess this is the right age~

I think it’s better to get these recommendations than none at all, as it means I’m considered a decent woman~

But the men they recommend are always at least five years older than me, which I don’t like.

“At my age, is thinking about dating and marriage childish?”

As soon as I get home, I throw off my shoes and bag and dive onto the bed!

Living freely as a single without anyone nagging is nice, but sometimes I do feel lonely.

“Ah… really, if there was a man like the Captain, I could go on two blind dates.”

He has a nice voice, and from our conversations, his personality seems good enough. I don’t know much, but he seems to have a decent job. And he looks younger than me.

I don’t know his face or body, but who cares! They say you get tired of a face after three years anyway.

“Oh right. I should check my messages.”

[Veritas♥ 7 (2)]

“Let’s see what our cutie Dwitmun said~”

[StolidDwitmun: Muldabal-nim]

[StolidDwitmun: I might not be able to contact you for a few days]

“What? What are you saying? Why?!”

[StolidDwitmun: Ah haha]

[StolidDwitmun: I didn’t want to say this]

[StolidDwitmun: Um]

[StolidDwitmun: But since you seem to care about me a lot, I’ll tell you]

[StolidDwitmun: In case you worry if I suddenly stop contacting you]

[StolidDwitmun: I]

[StolidDwitmun: I’m having surgery tomorrow]

“Huh….”

[StolidDwitmun: A hospital visit?]

[StolidDwitmun: (embarrassed emoticon)]

[StolidDwitmun: My real appearance]

[StolidDwitmun: I don’t really want to show you]

[StolidDwitmun: I’m sorry]

[StolidDwitmun: But I’ll definitely contact you after the surgery]

[StolidDwitmun: (bowing emoticon)]

“What….”

Now I’m… alone?