Chapter 331

Chapter 331. Trap (8)

It wasn’t necessarily because the plan came from my head, but taking Berta to the amusement park was truly a great choice.

‘Berta has exceptional physical abilities.’

Moreover, the amount of activity she engaged in was more than anyone could handle.

Being young, she didn’t yet know how to perfectly control the influence her strength had when she got emotionally agitated.

So she didn’t even try to get along with frailer human kids.

Whenever Berta moved, and I staggered beside her, comparisons became inevitable.

All three players who came with us told me they heard people whispering.

They wondered why K fell so often and why he was covered in so many scars.

Looking at the situation alone, my plan was successful.

To achieve that success, my weakened body had been sacrificed a bit, and consequently, small bruises gradually accumulated on my body.

‘It’s fine as long as the result is good.’

Though these were minor injuries that a potion could heal quickly, I left the wounds untreated.

I came out here to spread rumors, so treating them for a mere sting seemed silly.

Of course, I couldn’t help but be physically exhausted.

After all, it had been around three hours since we entered Jamsil World.

I had nearly thrown my heavy body onto a bench after being dragged around by Berta.

“Huh? Why? I want to play more, let’s go there, over there!”

Naturally, Berta wasn’t about to grant me rest easily.

However, desperate for a break, I quickly spoke to Berta, who was trying to pull me along again.

“Let’s sit down for a moment and have some ice cream.”

The offer of a tempting treat made Berta’s ears perk up, showcasing a candid reaction.

“Ice cream?”

“Yeah, you like that, don’t you?”

Berta, who loved sweet snacks like chocolate, couldn’t possibly resist this bait.

“I want to eat! I want to eat! Berta wants to eat!”

As expected, Berta jumped up and down in enthusiastic agreement.

Having gained her approval, I considered it half a success.

I looked over at Kim Yul and silently instructed him to please take the child to get ice cream.

Kim Yul, who had always wanted to get closer to Berta, wouldn’t refuse this chance.

“Berta, shall we go get some ice cream with me?”

Kim Yul eagerly took the opportunity, extending his hand to Berta with a forced smile tugging at his lips.

“Okay!”

“Chocolate flavor? Vanilla? Strawberry? What do you want?”

“I want all of them!”

“Oh, how adorable! Sure, Berta, you can have everything you want! It’s on me!”

Letting go of my hand and grabbing Kim Yul’s, Berta energetically walked along.

I called out to their retreating figures with a groggy voice.

“And an Americano on the way back.”

“Yep!”

While Berta satisfied her sweet tooth, I needed to recharge with some caffeine to gather enough energy to move again.

“Phew.”

Having secured a brief rest, I leaned against the bench and sighed deeply.

When I looked up, I locked eyes with Rashar, who was staring at me from a short distance away.

“…”

After an awkward silence, Rashar was the first to look away.

“Why don’t you sit instead of just standing there?”

When I casually invited her, Rashar sat next to me without much of a response.

I glanced at her before turning my attention to the crowd filled with spectators.

I hadn’t given it much thought at first, partly because of Berta’s energy from the start.

But it was odd that Rashar brought Berta out today.

‘Rashar’s residence is in the same apartment complex as mine.’

To come here with Berta, she would have needed to visit the Beastfolk’s residence.

Why go through all that trouble? Would it be overthinking if I thought that it was a pretext to meet me?

‘There really was no reason for her to do that, though…’

I hadn’t particularly avoided crossing paths with Rashar or drawn any lines with her, anyway.

If she had something to discuss, she could have come to me any time.

As my mind mulled over these thoughts, I quickly concluded the obvious solution: if I couldn’t figure it out, I’d confirm it through the person herself.

“Are you still angry?”

When I spoke first, Rashar didn’t ignore me.

“… Do I have the right to be angry?”

She still seemed a bit miffed.

“Why speak like that?”

“I think it’s better to say something, rather than follow your habit of saying nothing.”

At least she was acknowledging my words now.

I figured the situation had relaxed enough for us to converse.

I responded to Rashar’s critique by shrugging my shoulders.

Was that displeasing to her?

Narrowing her eyes, Rashar fixed a gaze upon me and asked.

“Why are you so quiet? Are you admitting it?”

“What’s there to deny? It’s the truth.”

As it was, I had no intention of denying Rashar’s words.

What she’d said wasn’t wrong, and I was aware my decision wasn’t the wisest, either.

There was a reason I led the Biharin’s evacuation while maintaining utmost confidentiality.

‘Owing to the various circumstances concerning the nobles and Order members.’

But even if given a chance to explain, I would have chosen to remain silent.

And that silence was more for myself than for Rashar or the Biharin.

‘I knew there was a possibility of failure.’

Due to painful past experiences, I intensely felt negative emotions from disappointing someone who shared a close social relationship with me.

So if by chance, and just maybe…

I chose to keep silent, largely because of such considerations.

I wasn’t confident in watching Rashar fall into despair because of my failure to save the Biharin.

Thus, the past silence was also for my own welfare.

Knowing this about myself, I hadn’t forced a clarification or an apology when Rashar distanced herself.

‘I could have maybe mended the relationship with some lip service.’

But I won’t apologize now nor in the future regarding this issue.

Apologizing when I’m not committed to not repeating the same actions would be meaningless.

If the same situation arose, I would make the same choice.

Thus, I suppressed the discomfort in my heart and withheld the apology.

I wondered what Rashar thought, witnessing my unrepentant stance.

“I came ready to say my piece, but seeing you acknowledge everything, I’ve lost my drive.”

Rashar continued in a voice noticeably subdued.

I’d thought she could express her anger if she wanted, yet her reaction was milder than expected.

I replied lightly, watching Rashar’s demeanor.

“You could have just visited the guild office, why did you come all the way here?”

“Breche and Horfe both dread taking Berta out, so I was dragged into it. Since I was out, I thought I might as well express what I had been holding in!”

“Yes, yes, understood.”

The previously tense atmosphere, rife with mutual apprehension, seemed to ease.

Grateful for the change, my voice involuntarily lightened.

“So?”

“What?”

“Is that all you wanted to say? Why not use this chance to share anything else on your mind?”

Rashar’s lips moved slightly.

Presented with the opening, she seemed conflicted, unsure of where to begin.

I waited patiently without further prompting, and eventually, Rashar began articulating her thoughts.

“You, seriously, are like a one-man show and a tyrant.”

“I’m used to hearing that, so it’s nothing new. What else?”

“You don’t consider others’ emotions at all! You make decisions selfishly, try to control everything, and handle issues only your way!”

“Isn’t that the same as what you just said?”

“It’s different!”

“Let’s just say it is. By the way, recently, my brother said something similar. Maybe you two should get together and vent about me. Who knows? You might get along surprisingly well.”

“Hah! You’re incorrigibly shameless!”

“What’s the point of being defeated and shrinking back after everything’s already done?”

“You are truly an annoying personality!”

“That’s another thing I’ve heard often. Yet, strangely, everyone who says that still stays by my side. You’re no different, right?”

“Once time passes, it’s clear that your decision was the better one.”

“Oh?”

I didn’t expect the conversation to take a turn to praise all of a sudden.

Turning to Rashar, surprised, her expression remained one of anger.

“That’s why you irritate me even more!”

“But you’re viewing the results I achieved positively, aren’t you?”

“Why don’t you focus on my criticism of your methods?”

“Isn’t it better to move forward than to sit and ponder over means and methods?”

My words pointed out Rashar’s circumstances, trapped amidst the corruption and misconduct of Biharin’s establishment.

I even quoted her own words back to her from when she criticized my actions earlier.

Maybe it left her speechless, seeing her lips tremble in response.

“That…that…!”

She eventually let out an exasperated scream, her face flushed red.

“Acting as though you’re superior, it’s driving me crazy…!”

However, she didn’t finish saying what she intended.

Ethan, who had been standing behind me on the bench, moved to cover her mouth with his hand.

I nodded at Ethan, conveying my thanks and gestured for him to withdraw his hand.

“No problem.”

Ethan, smiling serenely, withdrew, and I scanned the surroundings while quietly murmuring.

“I am indeed here as bait, but announcing it so blatantly won’t do.”

One cannot let those they’re trying to catch get scared and hide away.

When I signaled to be cautious, Rashar lowered her voice significantly to speak.

“Don’t you feel any guilt for using yourself in a state unfit for combat like this?”

It seemed she knew not just my condition but the purpose of today’s outing.

She apparently exchanged prior communication with Kim Yul.

Kim Yul likely wanted me and Rashar to reconcile, meddling accordingly.

‘Such meddling.’

Perhaps I should be grateful for this opportunity to speak openly?

Around that time, Kim Yul returned from a distance, grinning from ear to ear while carrying Berta on his shoulders.

Although Rashar wasn’t done yet, she continued.

“Do you realize what it would mean to your siblings if they knew? How much it would hurt those who cherish you? Why do you never consider those aspects…?”

“I thought we settled that debate long ago.”

This is not about who is right or wrong.

It is a matter of choice, and my choice remains unchanged just as it was before.

“If you’re planning to evaluate and challenge my methods, the conversation ends here. I have no intention to apologize or change my ways.”

I don’t put my life on the line without any thought.

Equipped with two platinum rank tanks specializing in defense, I deliberately chose a location with a high population density for exposure.

‘Increased civilian presence makes it riskier for them to act.’

The ones I intend to lure this time are neither monsters nor players.

Thus, being shielded by this kind of social cover is far more effective than surrounding myself with player bodyguards.

I’ve taken the best precautions I can and am moving to achieve my goals.

“If you truly had faith in me, you’d be helping me instead of criticizing my actions.”

Just like Yang Taeho and Ethan, who stand behind me.

They’re not remaining still because they aren’t worried.

‘They trust my judgment and follow my orders.’

Conversely, Rashar’s actions could imply a lack of trust in my judgment and plans.

When I pointed this out, Rashar’s face instantaneously turned pale.

She evidently hadn’t anticipated my comments.

Despite my candid words, if she continues to berate or dissuade me out of a sense of concern…

‘Then that’s as far as it goes.’

Admittedly, I hold special feelings for Rashar.

But I can’t abandon my thoughts, plans, and objectives just because she feels uncomfortable.

“Let me be clear: I will neither regret nor apologize for my past choices, nor will I promise to refrain from similar actions in the future.”

I wish for Rashar to remain as someone special by my side, but if that’s impossible, it might be better to sever ties decisively.

Having issued my final warning, the outcome will soon become apparent.

Leaving the now rigid Rashar behind, I walked toward where Kim Yul and Berta were.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:

Damn, Hyunwoo is cold.