Chapter 344: Crying Wolf (3)
‘I won’t die, you bastard. I’ll live until I reach senility.’
Of course, there was no way I could say this. Demonstrating willingness for life had the potential to make the situation worse.
“Hyunsung Hyung-ssi is right. We will never let you die.”
‘Shit.’
“Hyunsung, the seizure lasts for only a short time. The rest of the time, I’m really healthy.”
After lying that much, I felt like no one would believe me even if I were to say I was fine now. I could understand how the boy who cried wolf felt in the fairy tale.
I wanted to show that I was fine somehow, but in Kim Hyunsung and Park Deokgu’s eyes, I looked like a righteous person who did not want to be a burden to his colleagues.
Honestly, if I really had a fatal disease, I would want to head to the Kingdom of Eberia at all costs. However, this was a different situation.
As I always thought of the worst, the worst scenario came to mind again.
First of all, checking what card Kim Hyunsung had was the top priority.
No matter what, it was not good to refuse too much, as it may seem strange that I didn’t want to leave for the kingdom of Eberia.
‘Does he have a way?’
Looking at Kim Hyunsung’s confident face, it seemed that he really had a way.
‘Does he have some kind of an elixir recipe?’
He probably had something that matched.
I didn’t know what it would be, but the place was definitely the Kingdom of Eberia. Whether it was a dungeon reward or a treasure held by the elves, it seemed that something was corresponding to the mythic-grade.
The only way I could heal my current soul’s wounds was that much, so it was correct to think as above.
‘Is it a dungeon? Or are there some elves’ treasures?’
Considering that all party members were moving, it was likely to be the former one. Of course, the possibility of the latter was high enough. We may have to use force if it was the latter.
If I considered that the only information that Kim Hyunsung had from the first round that fit relatively accurately was the dungeon’s location, the probability went up even more.
His strange remarks were tantamount to suggesting that he was aware of a certain amount of the situation. The possibility was more than enough.
The Kingdom of Eberia, the Forest of the World Tree, had not been touched by foreigners so far, and because of the strict guard, I could count on one hand those who have entered there.
Right now, even High Elf Elena had an ability with a completely different mechanism than mine.
They may be overflowing with similar abilities or things that cannot be found in human countries. Among them, there must be a possibility that there was something that could help me.
I didn’t know if it was a coincidence, but from Kim Hyunsung’s perspective, the timing was indeed just right.
I thought that, maybe the reason he led the Three Kingdoms’ alliance was that he was planning this.
‘This is plausible.’
Of course, he didn’t think I had a mortal illness until then, but he knew about the aftereffects. After realizing that the situation was a little more serious, he may have thought he couldn’t afford to delay anymore. His priorities had changed.
Of course, this was unpleasant for me. There was no such thing as a wound to the soul.
It was quite the sight to see him looking at me like I was going to die while grabbing his head. For them, I seemed to be living a life with limited time.
‘But it’s not that…’
It was embarrassing to say that it was a lie now.
“We will leave tomorrow.”
“What? It’s too sudden…”
“There is no time to delay.”
‘I’m just delaying a little more.’
“It will be a hard expedition.”
‘Then let’s just take a break at home. Hyunsung… please, please.’
“It won’t take long. You don’t have to worry about Laios. It’s not something that Kiyoung-ssi should be concerned about right now. There are more talented people in the State than Kiyoung thinks. For me, I would recommend getting away from work as much as possible, but if you wish, I will take action so that you can continue to see the situation.
‘It’s not necessary, you bastard.’
“Hyung-ssi is right. Both Oscar-nim, Pristina-nim, even the people from the Holy side, and the Laios people all work hard. They couldn’t make you worry… Everyone thinks the same thing as us.”
‘I got it. Don’t be impressed.’
Park Deokgu’s face, swallowing words, came into sight as if he felt like crying. I didn’t know what the hell he was talking about and why he moved, but since he was a sensitive guy, it was clear that he was thinking something I couldn’t possibly understand. I wanted to get out of this situation somehow, but the problem was that I couldn’t.
“But Eberia’s permission…”
“I will finish it within today. Perhaps they will agree.”
What I could hope for right now was that Eberia refused this request, but they couldn’t say no.
‘Please refuse. I don’t want to go. Fuck… I don’t want to go…’
I had mixed feelings about this. I was grateful that they were organizing all these things for me, but it was heartbreaking that the result of the act would come back to me like shit.
It was at that moment I had a pretty good idea. Of course, it may be irrational, but it was still worth trying.
“I want to ask you one more thing, Hyunsung-ssi.”
“Yes?”
“Will the method be dangerous?”
Kim Hyunsung paused. Like an innocent guy, lies didn’t come out of him so well. Eventually, he exhaled and spoke.
“I can’t say it’s not dangerous. But as much as possible…”
‘This is it!’
“I will not refuse to go to Eberia, Hyunsung-ssi.”
“Yes.”
“But I don’t want to get my body back to normal if it puts others in danger, Hyunsung-ssi.”
“But…”
“…”
“…”
“I can’t put others in danger just to save my body. And also, to go on an expedition at a time like this. No matter how I think about it, it’s all nonsense. You must have your own business to deal with. The same goes for everyone else. I don’t want the Blue Guild members…”
If someone else was in danger, the story would change. I wanted to get up and dance right now.
“I can take any risk.”
“Don’t think that just because you do, other people will be able to do that. If you try to save someone who hasn’t died yet, you will be criticized toughly. Of course, it’s not that I don’t understand you and Hyunsung, but it’s right to focus on what’s right in front of us. My problem is after that. Unless we are at least surely prepared, such an expedition…”
“I-I can bear it! Hic!”
That was when the door suddenly opened with a bang.
‘What is this again?’
It was Jung Hayan.
It looked like she had been crying until now. It was quite a sight to see her looking at me.
No, I wanted to ask what kind of day drama she was filming right now. And behind her, Blue Guild members began to appear one after another.
‘Shit. What is this?’
It may be very touching in some ways, but in the current situation where everything was a lie, it was nothing more than a cheap tear-jerker.
My cheeks started to turn red for nothing.
Sun Hee-young, who seemed to be feeling a sense of responsibility for some reason, and Ahn Ki-mo and Kim Ye-ri, who had always sent mischievous expressions, had determined expressions for some reason. The same could be said for Kim Chang-ryul and Yoo Ahyoung.
In fact, despite not having such great contact with Kim Chang-ryul, he seemed to have decided to be with me. Jung Hayan kept shedding tears. Magic scholar Hwang Jeong-yeon was also standing there with a warm smile.
‘You don’t have to do this coming in groups. You guys…’
They even started talking one at a time as if they had all combined.
There was no need to explain that I felt like my limbs were gone.
“I’m okay, too, Vice Guild Master. Hahaha. I’ve received a lot of help in the meantime. You’re also the one who helped me to be in this guild. This time, it is my turn. No matter how dangerous it is, it is natural to go together.”
“Me too. I’ll go with you, uncle Kiyoung. I don’t like it… But I don’t want you dying. And it won’t be very dangerous. Since Hyunsung… will be there. Yes. We are also strong now.”
It was Ahn Ki-mo and Kim Ye-ri who were making an unsuitable expression.
“Me, too. I will never, never let Lee Kiyoung die. Even at the expense of my life. I will do whatever I can.”
“Me, too. You’re the one who made the current Blue guild the way it is, right? Researching with Kiyoung is one of the joys of my life, and I can’t have that taken away.”
Sun Hee-young and Hwang Jeong-yeon also had their chance to talk.
I appreciated their thought, but I also started to feel like I wanted to escape somewhere. My face was getting redder and redder by the minute. I was so embarrassed that I was right in the middle of this tear-jerker.
“I’ll do my best, Vice Guild Master.”
“Vice Guild Master is the benefactor who made me now. I want to be helpful this time.”
Kim Chang-ryul and Yoo Ahyoung also sported determined faces.
Instead, an ambiguous face like Cho Hyejin would be more beneficial to my mental health.
Han Sora looked like she didn’t want to come, but she was watching the situation from behind as if she had just realized the atmosphere.
“Hic. Hic!”
Jung Hayan, who shed tears without saying anything, was a bonus.
I don’t know why she’s here, but even Princess Elena was shedding tears.
While waiting for the quick end of this cheap tear-jerker that couldn’t be seen without tears, Park Deokgu and Kim Hyunsung, who inhaled Blue feelings with lethal doses, quietly approached and patted my shoulders.
“I will never let you die. Never.”
“I think it is decided. Look. Kiyoung is not alone.”
‘Not alone, my ass.’
I wanted to leave this place.
However, I was forced to nod and drop a tear because of those serious faces.
It was a perfect checkmate. I wanted to resist a little more, but I couldn’t say anything else at this place.
Naturally, I opened my mouth in the end. A voice that sounded like I was very moved came out without my knowledge.
“Everyone… thank you very much.”
It was a time when it can be called a crisis, both externally and internally.
It was the moment when the expedition caught in a big lie took the first step to the elves’ home to recover my body.
I didn’t know when it would be, but perhaps history would remember an event like this. I meant, as the warriors who risked their lives to save the hero of light from a crisis.
‘From now on, I should refrain from lying.’
It was only half sincere.
‘For something like this.’