episode_0013

5. Climbing the first tower (1)

We arrived at the top raid team, talking to each other like that and getting along quite well.

There, the Mokdong attack team, including Mr. Dosik, were already prepared and waiting for us.

” Oh, Charlotte is here! And you guys next door seem to be pretty close? So what brings you here? ”

When Mr. Doosik asked the two people next to me, Kang Hyeonseok stepped forward and opened his mouth.

” We came here to see if we could help you conquer the top. Is that okay? ”

” Hmm, I don’t mind. Rather, I would appreciate it if you helped me. Hey~ Are you guys okay too? ”

When I turned my head and asked my companions, they all said, ‘If it’s okay with you, Captain, then it’s okay.’

Or, the answer I heard was, ‘They are the ones who helped us yesterday, so we should be grateful.’

” That’s right. I’m sorry to be in debt again, but I hope you can help me. ”

” No. We live in a world like this, so we need to help each other. Are you going to start right now? ”

” That’s because one person hasn’t come yet. Ara, who you two helped yesterday, hasn’t come yet. That kind of thing has never happened before. ”

The scene from yesterday came to mind when I heard the old man say that he was waiting for Ara who hadn’t arrived yet.

‘Someone was rushing out, right? No way, right? It doesn’t seem like they gathered a group of people… Did they go alone?!’

The moment I thought of the worst-case scenario and was about to call Mr. Dosik,

” Hey!!! Didn’t you see Ara?! ”

Right behind us, we saw Mr. Kang Han-cheol running quickly towards us.

Just looking at that sight gave me confidence that my prediction would not be wrong.

” Brother, what do you mean? Didn’t you see Ara? ”

But, as he said those words, a look of bewilderment appeared on the face of Mr. Dosik.

I guess the old man had the same thoughts as me.

The number of people in the strategy team did not decrease, so the story is that they have disappeared now.

I would have gone to where the Falcon Gang was by myself.

‘What did you do when you had to attack the tower?’

Panting heavily, wiping the sweat from his forehead, Mr. Hancheol licked his dry lips.

” Phew, that’s right! Ara is gone!! I went in because she hadn’t come out of her room in the morning

When I went out of the settlement, the clothes I wore and my bag were gone. Sigh… ”

” Hey, how many times have I told you not to do that… ”

After hearing the story of those two people, the other team members seemed to have figured out the situation and were raising their voices, saying that they should go look for them.

” Let’s hurry up and go find Ara. What’s the point of staying here?! ”

” It’s the top, can’t we conquer it later?! What’s so important? The kid is gone! ”

But Mr. Dosik was looking at them with a serious expression.

” Sir? Why are you doing that? Well, I can’t help but postpone the attack on the tower, but wouldn’t it be better to do as they say for now? ”

” Oh, Charlotte. I guess that’s true. But you saw then that the clock on the tower will probably start moving soon.

If we postpone it, the damage will likely be considerable given the strength of our current settlement.

There may be another big variable like this, but I can’t just leave Ara like this… ”

While I was talking to the old man with such an awkward expression, someone suddenly came up to me from the side.

” I have an idea, would you please listen to it? ”

*****

It was clear that he had intended to quickly conquer the area and return with Yeonseo, but he seemed to have fallen into a rather awkward situation.

‘Ara Ramen, is that the daughter of the old man from yesterday?’

Yesterday, when I met Ara and her group, I was able to get a rough idea of what kind of abilities they had.

The current situation is quite unpleasant.

If he had gone to the gang’s hideout alone rather than taking a group of people with him, I honestly don’t think it would have gone well.

As I was looking at the situation and thinking about what to do, I heard a conversation between Charlotte and an old man named Hodushik.

It seemed like the deadline for the tower I was trying to conquer was running out.

‘Wow, if that’s true, this is going to be a really tough choice.’

The deadline for the tower is approaching, which means there is a lot of pressure to conquer it.

If left alone, the wasteland around the tower will increase just like before.

Failure will not only double the difficulty of the tower, but will also increase the devastation of the surrounding area.

But that doesn’t mean it’s even worse to ignore the daughter of Hancheol, the leader of the settlement, and a child loved by all the residents.

After thinking like that, I reached a conclusion and was about to move to express my opinion when I felt someone grab my hand.

” Don’t do it. This isn’t our job. ”

” Yeonseo…? ”

” I agree with following Charlotte and conquering the tower. Since the tower here appeared recently anyway, it’s good to warm up a bit.

But that doesn’t mean that what you think is honestly a burden to us. ”

” Haha, you know what I’m thinking. But you know what I mean, right? I can’t ignore that.

Because I promised her before I came back to this world. I promised her that if there was anyone or place that needed help, I would definitely help them. ”

Like several others, I too am a returnee from another world.

The only difference is that they were dragged away while they were alive, while I was already a ‘dead body’ once.

” In the second life I was given, I could have saved it with my own hands, but I did not know and lived without knowing. And I paid the price of ignoring it.

So I won’t do that anymore. ”

Yeonseo sighed deeply at my words.

” Haa, you’re really a good-natured fool. ”

” That’s my strong point. ”

So I let go of her hand and ran forward.

” Well, I guess anyone would like it ”

It seemed like Yeonseo was saying something after that, but unfortunately I couldn’t hear it very well.

I guess he just said things like “idiot”, “fool”, and “kick”.

*****

” So you’re thinking that the three of you, including Charlotte, will conquer the tower? ”

” Yes. ”

Mr. Doosik responded as if he was dumbfounded by the words of Kang Hyeonseok who suddenly approached him.

‘Well, honestly, I’m a little shocked that you suddenly came and said you wanted to go out with the three of you.’

” No matter how much you are stronger than me and everyone else here, I know that. But that doesn’t mean you have to go that far!

Conquering the tower is no joke, and no matter how capable you are, it’s not something you should risk your life for! ”

” Haha, calm down. I think you know this too, so let me say it again. Yeonseo and I have already conquered the tower many times and have the experience and skills to do so.

The two of us have conquered it before. Wouldn’t it be great if Charlotte was there too?

Even the old man said that it was a skill he acknowledged. ”

Suddenly, Kang Hyun-seok saw me and smiled faintly, talking to the old man.

My face was getting hot again.

‘No, if you suddenly say something like that…’

But the cool sensation on the back of my neck made me flinch.

” Eek! What the?! ”

I turned around, wrapping my hand around the back of my neck, and saw Yeonseo holding a small piece of ice in her hand with a sly smile.

” Did you feel excited when you heard our Bulyeoshi say ‘reliable’? ”

To her whispering words in my ear

” What?! That can’t be?! That’s because you suddenly mentioned it! ”

” Oh yeah, let’s do that. So what do you think? ”

” What? You want us to go together? Honestly, I don’t mind. But you have a point.

I’ve never conquered a tower before, so I might get tripped up by you guys. ”

” Don’t worry about that. If it’s true that this tower was built not too long ago, the three of us can finish it in no time. ”

While I was talking to Yeonseo like that, I felt a presence behind me.

” Charlotte. Are you sure you’re okay? ”

” Yeah, I’m fine. You know? I’m pretty strong. ”

” I said it’s okay. Sir, the three of us will be fine. And no matter what happens, I’ll protect Charlotte, so don’t worry. ”

Suddenly, Kang Hyun-sik’s words made me feel a ticklish feeling in my lower abdomen.

Contrary to the pain caused by still having my period, this sensation wasn’t all that bad.

I don’t know why but

” Okay, I got it. Instead, if you have a hard time or something happens, use this. ”

Mr. Dosik took a feather-shaped brooch out of his bosom and handed it to me.

” Sir? What is this? ”

” That’s also a type of artifact, and according to the description when I received the reward before, it’s an item that takes you to a place you had imagined.

Of course, it seems like it’s only for places I’ve been to. There are two more left, but you guys should use this one.

It’s best not to use it, but still, think of it as a talisman. ”

” Yes? You don’t need to give this to me, or rather, to us… ”

Then the old man smiled warmly and said

” This isn’t a big deal when it comes to sending kids like my daughter to the brink of death. ”

But that smile was, on the other hand, quite a sad smile.

” Yes, I understand. I will try my best not to use it. ”

” Okay, I got it. Then I’ll go talk to Hancheol and come back, so you guys get ready. ”

Not long after he said that, two old men approached us.

I waited for him to open his mouth because he seemed to be trying to say something.

I was quite surprised when Mr. Hancheol suddenly bowed and tore his head with a ‘thud!’

” Really! Thank you! Really… ”

” No, sir. Get up quickly. The other residents are watching.

I said it because I thought it was the best thing to do.

We know how to attack the tower, but we don’t know the geography of this area, so I think it would be better for the Mokdong residents, who know a lot and have a lot of people, to move. ”

” Okay, I understand. At least I will give you all the support I can. ”

With a determined look in his eyes, Mr. Hancheol provided us with the necessary supplies as best he could.

So we split into a team that was looking for Ara, centered around us, who were conquering the tower, and Uncle Dusik.

*****

We passed the Mokdong settlement and headed back to the tower.

It’s different from what I originally planned, but whatever, fate is fate.

” So, in the case of a recently built tower like this one, goblins? What, those guys come out? ”

Let’s ask the two who have experience conquering the tower.

” That’s right, usually those weaklings show up. Our Bulyeoshi could fight alone and still have some left, right? ”

Yeonseo, who says that nothing special comes out,

On the other hand, Kang Hyun-seok’s tone was quite cautious.

” But I heard it from Ara before, and I heard it from Uncle Dusik just now, but ‘Giant Oak’ came out?

Let’s be careful just in case. The fact that there’s already a wasteland around the tower means that there are guys outside too. ”

” Huh~ Compared to what you’ve shown me so far, you’re pretty cautious, huh? ”

When I asked Kang Hyun-seok in a slightly teasing tone,

” Well, you promised Mr. Doosik, right? He said he would keep you safe, Charlotte, so you have to be careful.

Of course, the fact that a giant orc appeared is more of a problem than that. ”

Kang Hyun-sik said that he was more concerned about the appearance of the giant orc.

But I haven’t heard anything since the part about protecting me.

I just lowered my head and picked up my walking speed.