Chapter 951. Mood (2)
‘Actually, Kim Hyun-Sung isn’t the only one who needs to be nervous.’
I needed to be nervous as well.
‘Hye-Jin is a precious friend of mine...’
“During the World Tree Destruction incident... Mr. Elias has confessed to her... I was there. It was really romantic... I felt like I was watching a drama,” Hwang Jung-Yeon said.
“Is that true, Miss Jung-Yeon?” Elena asked.
“Yes.”
I was there as well.
'Elias, you old bastard.'
I actually had no idea of his age, but he was definitely somewhere in the hundreds.
It had been a while since we started gossiping, so I was excited to hear some gossip.
In my opinion, Elias' actions were bad. He was so insensitive that he proposed three times to a girl with a bright future ahead of her. He was basically committing a crime.
Jo Hye-Jin was a self-proclaimed technician from Wooshin Girls’ High School, but she never really had a proper relationship. Elias ought to have simply enjoyed it and stopped before it could get out of hand.
Why was he even proposing to a girl who had never gotten into a relationship?
I started questioning whether he had a conscience or not.
“...”
“Are we talking about Hye-Jin noonim here?” Park Deok-Gu asked.
“Yes, Mr. Deok-Gu. Whenever we walk on the streets, many people would ask for her number,” Hwang Jung-Yeon said. Jo Hye-Jin was surprisingly really popular.
Actually, the word "surprisingly" was rude here.
Jo Hye-Jin's personality and work ethic were great; she was a good fighter, she was smart, and she was cool as well.
She basically had everything one could wish for from a partner.
I could confidently bet that those who had witnessed her swinging her spear had the urge to confess to her almost immediately.
People could easily misunderstand that she was unfriendly, and it was all because of her rigid personality, but her rigid personality was exactly what the elves were looking for from a person.
Jo Hye-Jin was definitely the best partner in the eyes of any elf out there.
And if they could take a peek into someone's soul like Elena, they'd fall even harder for Jo Hye-Jin.
‘Although I don’t think she’ll accept the proposal...’
Still, she had the ruler of the Elf Kingdom buff... and Elias wasn’t that ugly, so I was sure the kind-hearted Jo Hye-Jin was being swayed by him. Actually, there was a high chance that my assumption was true. Otherwise, Elias wouldn't have proposed to her thrice.
“I didn't know that,” Park Deok-Gu said.
“I’m sure... they approached me because of my background. They had either made a business inquiry... or asked questions about joining the guild,” Jo Hye-Jin said.
“Oh my, I don’t think that’s the case. The people who talked to you aren't exactly lacking. Many of them were from influential families, and some of them were even celebrities,” Sun Hee-Young argued.
“...”
“Anyway... that means Hye-Jin unni will eventually become the Queen of the Elf Kingdom later,” Kim Ye-Ri said.
“I-I’m going to reject it,” Jo Hye-Jin stuttered.
“...”
“Looks like we’ll have to wait for the fourth proposal.”
“...”
Based on her reaction, Elena seemed really disappointed.
Kim Ye-Ri was trying to feel her out—
'Oh, no, I think she still likes Kim Hyun-Sung.'
“If Hye-Jin noonim becomes the elf queen—” Park Deok-Gu said.
“No, I’m not,” Jo Hye-Jin interrupted.
“I have a feeling she’ll look good as the queen,” Sun Hee-Young remarked.
“I won’t look good at all,” Jo Hye-Jin denied.
“It’s like a story from a fairytale. A female knight rejecting the elf prince’s proposal...” Sun Hee-Young added.
“That’s not going to happen,” Jo Hye-Jin retorted.
“I really hope it goes well,” Sun Hee-Young said.
‘It’d be great if nothing happens...'
I could see Jo Hye-Jin trying to deduce Kim Hyun-Sung’s reaction while denying Sun Hee-Young's words. The sight made me think that perhaps there was still some kind of spark between them.
Kim Hyun-Sung acted like he didn’t care, but it was probably because he didn’t have the luxury to worry about Jo Hye-Jin’s problem as well.
“I don’t want you to leave the guild, Miss Hye-Jin,” I chimed in.
“I told you... I have no intention of leaving, Sub Guild Master,” Jo Hye-Jin said.
“Don’t you agree, Mr. Hyun-Sung?” I asked.
“Yes, he’s right. You’re a valuable member of the guild,” Kim Hyun-Sung answered.
‘I told you, noona. This coin still has the potential to bounce back.’
“Indeed, she’s an important member of the guild. She needs to stay with us in the Blue Guild forever,” Park Deok-Gu said.
“Woof!” Shiro barked in agreement.
“Please don’t leave, Miss Jo Hye-Jin,” Alps begged.
“I’m not going to go anywhere, Alps,” Jo Hye-Jin told her.
It was stressful trying to respond to each and every one of them. To overcome the depressing mood earlier, some made some pretty mean jokes.
Jo Hye-Jin started blushing in the face of everyone's words, which was unlike her.
The sight seemed to be a brand-new sight for the new member of the guild, as she was in awe while staring at them.
If the guild members had been spending time with each other more often, she would have been able to see that side of Jo Hye-Jin often, but that wasn't the case at all. In Belier's eyes, Jo Hye-Jin was definitely an unfriendly and scary superior, but this scene definitely changed her thoughts about the latter even just a little.
We drank coffee and ate some snacks while talking about many different things. I wasn’t sure whether we were having a meeting or just chatting, but it was really fun.
Kim Hyun-Sung also looked like he was enjoying himself... and Ha-Yan also looked like she wanted to maintain this lively atmosphere.
“Hm... I’m starting to get hungry.”
Eating now seemed a bit too much, though.
The people outside would definitely think that we were having a serious conversation at this rate. It had been a while since the meeting had started, after all. They couldn't have imagined that we were talking about Jo Hye-Jin and Elias’ love story.
Actually, we didn't have the luxury of time to chitchat like this.
“Come to think of it, when are we going to have dinner together? It’s been a while since we went out to eat together,” Park Deok-Gu asked.
“H-He’s right. O-O-Oppa, it’s been... a really long time...” Jung Ha-Yan stuttered.
'You’re only saying that because you want to feed me wine.'
“We should also have a welcome party for the new guild member,” Park Deok-Gu added.
“Then... I’ll host the party,” Sun Hee-Young volunteered.
“I-If... Hee-Young noonim is preparing the party... I welcome it anytime, but we should let someone else... do it...” Park Deok-Gu suggested.
I liked the way Sun Hee-Young hosted parties. Her parties were quiet and classy, but I saw the others nodding in agreement with Park Deok-Gu.
“Woof!” Shiro barked in agreement as well.
“How about you host the party, Alps?” Jo Hye-Jin suggested.
“What? M-Me?” Alps asked.
'I don’t think she’s any better. What if she hosts a pet party? She's obviously never hosted a party before based on how she looks like a nerd.'
“I’ll do my best!” Alps shouted.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
'No, don’t do it.'
“Or I can do it as well. The great Park Deok-Gu...” Park Deok-Gu volunteered.
'No, you’re even worse.'
“I think... Miss Jung Ha-Yan wants to do it," Han Sora chimed in.
Jung Ha-Yan nodded immediately. If Jung Ha-Yan ended up hosting the party, Han Sora would be the one who'd become busy, so it was fine. However, I was afraid that a life-size statue of me would appear at the party, so I couldn’t approve of the suggestion.
“Let’s go big and open a festival instead of hosting a party! You know that bag festival Hyun-Sung bro had opened last time? We got a really good reaction from that,” Park Deok-Gu suggested.
“We’ll have to ask each guild for their cooperation... We don’t really have a lot of time, but we can do it if we push for it,” Hwang Jung-Yeon informed.
“A picnic. What do you think? Last time. We all. Went to. Mirror Lake,” Kim Ye-Ri suggested.
'It sounds like Ye-Ri wants to play.'
“Or how about we go sea fishing? It’ll be like a pep rally,” Ahn Ki-Mo suggested.
“It’s been a while since Ki-Mo bro made a good suggestion,” Park Deok-Gu commented.
“Should I craft a few special fishing rods?” Yoo Ah-Young asked.
'That sounds like a waste of talent.'
Everyone suggested something except for Lee Chang-Ryeol, who was never really the talkative type.
Their voices got louder and louder, and they'd laugh every time the pig made a ridiculous comment.
I tried to hold back my laughter, but I couldn’t do it because he kept making ridiculous comments.
‘Damn it.’
“Make special baits, not special fishing rods!”
‘Ah, I don’t know why that keeps making me laugh.’
“I’m sorry. I can’t... make that...” Yoo Ah-Young said.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you laugh like that, Mr. Ki-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung said quietly.
‘Really? I think I’ve been laughing a lot.’
“Really?” I asked.
“Yes,” Kim Hyun-Sung answered.
“It’s because we’re all together,” I told him.
“...”
“...”
“I see,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.
'I feel like he likes it more than I do. You think you can fool me? I know you’re enjoying this.'
“O-Oppa, w-w-we should take Sera as well,” Jung Ha-Yan suggested.
“Of course, we should,” I said.
'But have you two been doing well?'
I presumed that was the case, as Ha-Yan looked happy at the mention of Sera.
I wondered if Thro and the others were doing well, too.
“But...” Park Deok-Gu paused.
“Hm?”
“The festival, picnic, pep rally, and party... W-When are we doing all of that?” Park Deok-Gu asked.
"After we're done clearing this dungeon,” I replied.
“W-What?!”
The room abruptly became silent.
‘Ah, shit. My timing was bad. I should've built up for it or hinted at it first before saying it.'
The atmosphere was great just a few moments ago, but the air between us suddenly became kind of awkward.
They weren’t scared of going into dungeons, nor were they shocked about the sudden news because they knew the reason behind today's meeting.
The problem was that everyone was worried about me.
Kim Hyun-Sung was staring at me in disbelief.
‘I’m not going to sacrifice myself in the dungeon, so don’t worry too much.’
“Guild Master,” I said.
“I won’t allow it,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.
'How dare you block my path.'
“There’s no reason for you to enter the dungeon, Mr. Ki-Young. The dungeon inside the Vatican is probably being cleared right now, and many guilds, including the Blue Guild, are already preparing a raid party. I’m sure we’ll hear good news soon,” Kim Hyun-Sung said to me.
“Y-You should get some rest. We’ll—”
‘No, I can’t trust you guys.’
“I’ll go with you,” I interrupted.
“I won’t allow it,” Kim Hyun-Sung argued.
“I’m going with you,” I repeated.
“Mr. Ki-Young!” Kim Hyun-Sung shouted.
'Don’t raise your voice, damn it. I just need to say one thing, and it’ll be over.'
“I don’t want to be alone.”
'Where do you think I’ll be the safest?'
“I want to be with the members of the Blue Guild,” I requested.
The room became quiet again as if everyone was at a loss for words.
‘Answer me. Where do you think I’ll be the safest?’
If all of you guys enter the dungeon, who will comfort me? Who will protect me?
I looked happy, and I even had the capacity to sympathize and comfort Templar Gen, but I still felt pretty shaken by that incident.
Sometimes, I'd have nightmares, and there were times when I couldn't sleep at all. I'd flinch at the smallest sound and tremble in fear, afraid that someone was going to hit me.
I had nothing left but the guild members. My family members here were the only ones who could support me. If Kim Hyun-Sung and Jung Ha-Yan were to enter the dungeon without me, what would I do? Who would stay with me?
“I feel the safest with you guys, so...” I trailed off.
“...”
“So I’m going, too,” I continued.
There was no way he'd keep arguing against me after hearing that.
As expected, Kim Hyun-Sung's face became solemn, and some of them looked like they were feeling guilty.
How could they just leave me alone?
In fact, they had been neglecting me recently, and I assumed it was because they were busy with guild work?
Some of them seemed to have remembered the fact that I had spent a long time up there where it was dark and empty... I was talking about my time upstairs. I had extended my hand toward the continent, but I just couldn't reach it, as I was dead.
My time with Gen made me remember those dark times.
I had been missing the Blue Guild, and I had been missing spending time with you guys.
The only time the honorary cardinal—overwhelmed and busy with numerous tasks and responsibilities—could be Lee Ki-Young was whenever he was with you guys.
'I don’t want to be apart from you guys any longer. Can't you guys feel my true feelings? Can't you guys feel my sincerity?'
“I don’t want to be apart from you guys any longer,” I said.
“O-O-Oppa...” Jung Ha-Yan stuttered.
'That’s right, Ha-Yan. I don’t want to be apart from you.'
“Hyung-nim...” Park Deok-Gu muttered.
'Deok-Gu, I’m really tired.'
“...”
'Hye-Jin, my friend. You’re going to continue being by my side, right? You’re not going to marry that old elf, right?'
“Mr. Lee Ki-Young.”
'Yes, Miss Elena. Please stay with me.'
“M-Mr. Ki-Young.”
'Yes, Mr. Hyun-Sung. Don’t leave me alone anymore.'
I looked at everyone with tearful eyes.
'Don’t leave me alone, everyone. Don’t leave me. Don’t leave Lee Ki-Young alone.'