Chapter 144: Going Home (4)
On the way back to the Guild House, we were able to talk about various things. We mostly caught up on what had happened with each other, but it was fun overall.
At first, Jung Hayan eyed Cho Hyejin cautiously, but immediately lost interest when it appeared like there was no connection between her and me. My only problem was…
‘A new person has entered.’
My thoughts kept repeating themselves as I continued to observe her. In short, my initial reaction of her was similar to Jung Hayan’s.
Park Deokgu seemed to respect Cho Hyejin a lot, though. It seemed like the two had gotten close while I had been away.
Of course, the conversation in itself wasn’t bad.
“Hey, Hyejin-ssi.”
“Yes?”
“What do you think about our hyung-nim?”
“He seems to be as wise as I’ve heard. In fact, I was always curious about who was able to organize the papers so well…”
“Without Lee Kiyoung, it would have taken longer for the guild to establish itself.”
“Yes, Master. I thought… it definitely wasn’t an amount that could be solved by himself…”
“You’re exaggerating. I didn’t do it alone. This was possible because of the help of others. There are many talented people within Blue.”
Having Kim Hyunsung and Park Deokgu chattering made me feel happy. The fact that there was someone I didn’t know hurt a little, but I gave way simply because I saw how happy Hyunsung was.
Cho Hyejin was still growing. She didn’t show her full potential yet. Nevertheless, it had already reached this much. She had a lot more room to grow in the future. She might even be able to grow into having a Guild Master-level power in the future, considering her attributes.
a.s.suming that Kim Hyunsung had indeed come from the first timeline and had met her before, then it would surely be beneficial to have her on our side.
The only thing I had to focus on was which position I would take.
Should I push her away, or accept her?
The latter, of course, was reasonable. The fact that there were people like this would help the guild itself. If Kim Hyunsung’s kingdom were to grow bigger in the future, having competent members like her would surely be useful. She was knowledgeable in both literary and martial arts, and her power and talent levels were way beyond the ordinary.
There was no reason for me not to accept her.
The problem was that my influence would be reduced. Until then, for me, who had monopolized the love of Kim Hyunsung, having a sudden rival did not sit well with me.
‘Although, it’s pretty hard to imagine Kim Hyunsung being crazy about a woman…
He wouldn’t probably be like that. Of course, if colleagues from the first timeline like Cho Hyejin continue to come in, I felt worried that our Hyunsung would neglect our already-existing party.
In Park Deokgu and my case, who had relatively low stats, we might be left in the dust.
Of course, if I were to think about it in another way, the division of power was necessary. I had to reject having too much power on my side.
However, I had to think that it was also a little too early. Even if forces that could keep me in check appear after Kim Hyunsung’s kingdom had been established, it would not be late. There was no room to be worrying about principles; now, rapid growth was needed.
Of course, it was all my brain’s delusions that Cho Hyejin will tackle me.
Because of my tendency to always think about the worst, I could readily think of various solutions if anything were to happen. Still, Kim Hyunsung’s happy disposition, which I had never seen before, continued to bother me.
‘First, let’s just act normal.’
There were times when worrying ahead could be a big help, but that was not the case now. An unimaginably strong person had joined our Guild, and it was only right for me to feel happy.
As we continued to move, the Blue Guild House slowly came into our view.
I expected that I would be welcomed to some extent, but everyone looked busy thus far. It seemed like the guild staff had been working hard to prepare something.
‘What could it be?’
I instantly realized that it was a party, and I felt better. Sun Hee-young, Kim Yeri, and Lee Sang-hee, whom I had not seen for a long time, ran to me and began to say h.e.l.lo in turns.
“Welcome back…”
“It’s been a while, Ye-ri.”
She didn’t say anything, but she looked at me quietly and said h.e.l.lo.
“Kiyoung-ssi! You are finally here.”
“Yes. Hee-young-ssi. Long time no see.”
Sun Hee-young greeted me brightly, on the other hand.
“Thank you for your hard work, Vice Guild Master.”
“Thank you. Lee Sang-hee-nim.”
Even Lee Sang-hee greeted me with respect, along with Kim Mi-young, the manager, and Park Jung-gi of the administration team. Seeing their reactions, I realized that they were able to successfully conclude their work with ease.
After greeting me, everyone started talking to Jung Hayan, and the atmosphere quickly became noisy. At the same time, food constantly sailed through the guild’s yard. The person who prepared all of this was obvious.
‘Hyunsung…
This b.a.s.t.a.r.d clearly understood how to push and pull. Though all the disappointment did not go away, the welcome party clearly lessened it to an extent
Now I felt like I really was back home. Seeing my reaction, Kim Hyunsung smiled.
“Welcome back once again, Kiyoung-ssi.”
“Welcome, Vice Guild Master.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
And just like this, the short party started.
There were many people who got moderately drunk, but all in all, everyone seemed to be enjoying.
If I were to think about it, this was the first time I could have fun ever since joined Blue.
Jung Hayan still stuck to me, sipping juice, and Park Deokgu busied himself by walking around and shoving food into his mouth.
Of course, Hw.a.n.g Jeong-yeon was sitting next to him. It was obvious that the two really did grow closer, as they were already acting like a couple.
As the time pa.s.sed by, some of the people began to fall prey to their inebriated state. The guild staff was no exception to the drunkenness.
“Ugh… Do you know how hard it was? In fact, I kind of resented the Vice Guild Master.”
“You’ve been through a lot, Mi-young-ssi. Ah! Now I should call you Manager Kim Mi-young.”
“What?”
“I’ve only been postponing your appointment. I know best how hard Kim Miyoung has been suffering. Let’s do the salary negotiation tomorrow.”
“Ah!!”
“You will be able to work with a better treatment. I’ll also keep your children in mind.”
“Ah!!! T-Thank you. Thank you.”
I also did not forget to take care of my administrative team. Of course, Kim Mi-young, the best among them, immediately got promoted, which led to Park Jung-gi looking at her with undeniable envy. I knew I had to take care of him to some extent as well.
“It is only natural to do so. Ah. I heard that you received a lot of help from Cho Hyejin.”
“Yes. She’s a bit stubborn, but… she is a good person.”
Her reputation is good.’
It seems that she was loved by many people. As we continued talking, a loud voice came from the side.
“Hyung-nim! Try this once! Hyung-nim!”
“Please try this, too, Hayan-ssi.”
Sun Hee-young and Park Deokgu approached this way, both bringing plates of delicious-looking food.
“It’s really good, Kiyoung-ssi. Much more than the food the restaurants here sell…”
“Ah, is it?”
“Please try this, Hayan-ssi.”
“Yes. T-Thank you.”
“It really tastes great!”
What he had in his hand was a simple stew served in a small bowl. It looked a little different from the fancy food that had been served so far. From its unsophisticated serving, I knew it was not the Blue’s chef that had prepared this.
Although the thickly-sliced beef looked delicious, I was confident that it would not exceed the food level that we could eat during the expedition.
I couldn’t understand why they were fussing over it so much.
“Try it quickly! Quickly!”
“Alright.”
I couldn’t win over Park Deokgu’s enthusiasm, so the moment I took a spoonful, I thought something was different.
“Huh?”
The different taste instantly made me alert.
“Isn’t it delicious?”
‘It’s delicious.
I didn’t answer Park Deokgu, but my reaction said it all.
“Who made it?”
“Our Guild Master Hyun-ssi and Lee Sang-hee-nim made it. He went to the kitchen and made it, but who would have thought? Doesn’t it just melt in your mouth?”
“Huh?”
“It really does!”
“Ah, it’s so good!”
“How about you, Hayan?”
“I-It’s delicious, D-Deokgu. This… is really good.”
There was an unknown feeling of defeat in Jeong Hayan’s voice.
“You can cook, too, right?”
“Huh? Ah… That… Yes! I have learned a little…”
Her reaction betrayed the insecurity Jung Hayan felt. She reluctantly headed to the kitchen, her facial expression similar to that of Ito Souta’s before he entered the statue.
I made a mental note not to try out any of the dishes Jung Hayan would make today.
Everyone in the party was in pairs and were enjoying the party in their own way. What stood out was Cho Hyejin, who was sitting down by herself.
As she quietly chewed on her food, I decided it would be better to try and talk to her. I was curious about what kind of person she was. As Jung Hayan was in the middle of an infinite challenge, it would be the right timing to do so.
After excusing myself from Kim Mi-young, who expressed the desire to talk a little more, I saw Cho Hyejin looking my way.
“What do you think of Blue?”
“It seems to be a good place. I expected it from the rumors, but it was even better than I first thought.”
“Ah.”
“Especially when the Vice Guild Master entered, the atmosphere looks a little better.”
“It’s not like this every time. This is actually the first time I’d gotten to enjoy…”
“You can see how much the members of this guild trust their Guild Master and Vice Guild Master.”
“Ah…”
“I also had the tutorial with some people, but because of various minor events after entering the continent, we split up, so it’s definitely nice to see Blue being like this.”
Though she was calmly eating her food, her words were quite sentimental. I thought about the possibility of her being drunk, but it certainly didn’t seem that bad to me.
I felt like I knew how her first party had ended, and why she left Castle Rock and came here.
‘That’s how people live in the first place.’
“It especially seems that Hyunsung-ssi really trusts Kiyoung-ssi. Even when we were on the way to meet Kiyoung-ssi, he kept talking about you.”
Only
“Ah.”
“I thought you didn’t laugh very often, but that was a little unexpected.”
Cho Hyejin’s words surprised me. I realized I had misunderstood the situation completely
Looking at Kim Hyunsung, who was still busy cooking with Lee Sang-hee, the corners of my lips went up.
‘I trusted you, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!’
This was the moment where I felt like my loyalty to my returner had been properly rewarded.
No more confirmation was needed.
Kim Hyunsung trusted me, as much as he trusted the people he had been with the first time around.