Chapter 307: Jung Hayan’s Instruction Manual (1)
‘I’m annoyed.’
I wasn’t neglecting Jung Hayan, but, indeed, I wasn’t paying attention enough. I had thought that, whatever I did, she would support me all the way.
Of course, that thought remained the same now, but…
‘I forgot.’
I indeed forgot about the value of Jung Hayan.
She was a genius wizard that Kim Hyunsung had been watching since the tutorial.
Her importance was indescribable when I recalled that her talent was extraordinary. Even I, who could not see the same future as Hyunsung could, could understand that much.
It was not enough to say that she was a talent sent from heaven.
Even those who had legendary or higher-grade magical talent didn’t grow as fast as her, or were as familiar with magic as her.
Among many talented wizards, Jung Hayan’s growth was overwhelmingly fast and strong.
She was a talented person who was essential in order to escape the future threats that Kim Hyunsung knew.
She was fast catching up with Kim Hyunsung, a returner, with her pure talent, so this alone was enough to label her as out of specification.
It was just a simple guess, but Jung Hayan was an indispensable wizard for the future to come, and she was a talent enough to those who didn’t know this to drool over for her.
It was not unreasonable for the opposing camp to be interested in her like today.
If she simply looked strong, it would not have caused a problem.
Anyone could see that she looked mentally unstable, and since she was not easy to be handled, it was no wonder that she could attract people.
Even if I had been on the opposite side of Jung Hayan, I could be sure I would have done all kinds of c.r.a.p to get her on my side. Jin Qing seemed to think the same.
‘Absolutely not.’
There was no one anywhere who wanted to be robbed of the sweet fruit he had grown with all his might.
In fact, there were many times when I thought that it would be better to distance myself a little because Jung Hayan’s excessive affection burdened me, but when I felt that someone was taking away our precious archmage, love that did not exist before began to arise.
‘It surely would be a shame.’
On one hand, it was regrettable that Jin Qing was interested in her.
If it were someone else, it would not be a bad idea to use it as a role in extracting information.
Anyway, after I finished talking, she started to panic.
She seemed like an innocent girl who didn’t have the concept of pushing and pulling, and was worried that this might make me hate her.
“I-i-it’s not like that. It really isn’t like that! He was just talking to me… I, I…”
“… …”
“I’m not t-that kind of woman!”
Suddenly, she burst.
I didn’t know what kind of woman Jung Hayan was talking about, but if what I was guessing was correct, I was indeed a man like that.
It was quite the sight to see her running towards me in a fit of surprise.
It wouldn’t be bad to try increasing the intensity a little more, so I could see her tearing up when I turned to avoid her gaze.
Upon seeing this, she made short work of Jin Qing’s note, even going so far as to use magic to burn it up before stepping on it, as if she had been touching something dirty.
The interesting fact was that Jin Qing was looking at the scene, and, of course, it made his face crumple.
Whatever his intentions, it would be strange if he wouldn’t be upset to see something like that in front of his eyes.
‘Don’t touch it. I call dibs on this.’
Obviously, I showed this type of expression.
Jung Hayan shed thick tears while she continued to desperately defend herself.
I was a little embarra.s.sed because even I didn’t expect such an overreaction.
“Sniff… hic. I’m really n-not that kind of woman. Really. Hic. I’m not cheating on you or something like that, really…”
It was all the more exciting to see her staring at the person who made the misunderstanding as if she didn’t like him, but I felt that any further stimulation would wear out my conscience, so I had to hold out my hand.
It was undoubtedly cute to see her running to me when she saw this.
Looking ahead, I could see the lovely rescue workers still waiting for me.
“I know, Hayan. I was just saying, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
“I’m really not. Hic… really.”
“I know. I just said it.”
And with this, I went to fix the atmosphere.
I repeated that it was okay, but she continued breathing harshly. The glances of resentment sent to Jin Qing remain unchanged.
And that concluded the business I had with him.
The officials of the Republic seemed to be on the lookout for us until the end.
It was not unusual for them to react like that since Hee-ra was glaring at them in such a scary manner.
The first one that greeted me was Park Deokgu as I moved from the Republic to the State’s camp.
Perhaps thanks to blocking the attack of the Russian Doppelganger, he didn’t look the best.
Still…
‘Even to be able to continue standing up is something to be grateful for.’
He bounced off terribly, but he had already grown to the point where he could stop that attack at least once.
“Did you get hurt?”
“No, Deokgu. There’s no problem. I think it’s better to take care of your body first than me. You just blocked an attack…”
“Well, I think my insides are a little twisted, but it’s not a big deal. I can survive by receiving treatment from the priests. Rather than that…”
“Why did you come here? Honey?”
Cha Hee-ra cut our conversation off. She seemed annoyed, but perhaps she didn’t like the fact that I’d put myself in danger. She also seemed to think that I went crawling into the tiger’s mouth by myself.
Even if I were Cha Hee-ra, I wouldn’t believe that I came in by chance.
“It was really a coincidence. Actually, there is a reason that I’ve come this far, but to explain it is a little long… Thanks anyway, Nuna. It was actually a time when I was getting a little nervous.”
“If this weren’t a neutral area, you would have died. No matter how much you say our second is next to you, it’s not good to wander around too much. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.”
Even at a glance, she didn’t seem to be in such a good mood.
Although the Republic and the State had always been in disputes, in fact, I didn’t expect the foreigners to have such a bad relationship between them.
It seemed that emotions ran deep enough that they couldn’t be united by the fact of being the same foreigners.
If they had faced each other on the battlefield several times, it would be natural to think that way.
Even though it was said that they were doing well now, it was difficult for those who fought in the past to smile and greet each other.
‘The ones who came in recently won’t understand…’
Even Yuno Kasugano didn’t seem very comfortable. When I went to greet her, however, her expression loosened.
Anyway, Cha Hee-ra continued staring at the people of the Republic until the end.
She still seemed to be in a bad mood.
Even Jung Hayan was walking, feeling a little blue, so there was no need to explain that the way back was pretty gloomy.
‘I guess I’m going to get busy…’
In the meantime, I began to wonder as to what could happen in the future.
As the problem with the Republic floated on the surface, I knew I had to gather some information.
The first was to find out if they really were our enemies.
* * *
‘Please. Please, just let it go as if nothing happened… please…’
I didn’t like coming here from the beginning.
I felt as if every day I was on pins and needles.
There was something ominous from the beginning, but seeing the way we were going back, I had no choice but to repeat the same thoughts over and over again.
Instructor Lee Kiyoung, no, moving with Vice Guild Master Lee Kiyoung was also burdensome, and my flesh trembled.
Just thinking that the same accident as the last time might happen made me tingle.
As I glanced at the side, I saw Jung Hayan-nim, who has maintained the same face for the last few days.
A stiff face.
I understood very well from my experience that that face meant she was on the verge of exploding.
Just by glancing at her, I felt like my bladder was tickling, so I had to turn to the person I thought was the safest.
He was the only one who could protect me if something happens.
“Do I have something on my face?”
“No…”
“Come to think of it, how are the things Hyung-nim asked for…?”
“There is no problem, for now. Even though Queen Pristina is still a little firm, the Vice Guild Master seems to have thought that this would take a lot of time… I was instructed not to move, being too obvious.”
“Yes. I see. There’s a reason why Hyung-nim brought you. I noticed it from the time he asked me to bring you, but it seemed like he was trying to entrust the administrative affairs as well. Isn’t that right, Hayan?”
“Ah… Yes.”
However, he also seemed to be watching out for Jung Hayan.
She seemed a little nervous for a different reason than me, but she was openly showing that she was in a bad mood, and it was not unreasonable for her to be so restless since she continued crying even while eating.
The atmosphere resembled a mourner’s house.
When I recalled the cause of all this, a resentful feeling began to leak from one side of my heart.
‘Please… Please…’
The same was true now.
Jung Hayan’s eyes were filled with tears since morning, but I didn’t feel sorry for her.
I was rather scared.
It was because I remembered the first encounter with her.
“Hey, H… Hayan, don’t worry too much.”
“Gasp… I-I’m really not that kind of woman… Hic…”
“H-hyung-nim told you he was just saying. H-he really doesn’t care. The reason he doesn’t have time to be with you is because he’s always busy. Busy…”
“B-but…”
“It’s not only you but also Sora, and I haven’t seen Hyung-nim in years. Even the Mercenary Queen and the Shaman said it’d been a long time since they had a meal with him. Perhaps, from his perspective, isn’t it natural that he wants to learn more about the Republic while we’re here? I can guarantee, I don’t know what mistake you made, but it’s never because of you that he hasn’t been here recently.”
“I-in the past, no matter how busy he was, he always hugged me once, but… from that day on…”
“It’s all your imagination. Actually, it didn’t look much different to me. Instead, I feel that he’s paying more attention to you… and it seems you’re overreacting a bit.”
“But… hic…”
I wanted that prediction to be correct.
If that were the case, I would have been able to sleep relaxed. However, I also knew it was impossible for things to be solved so quickly.
“Haap… It’s all because of that guy. H-he said we would go on a date again. Haap… He hasn’t said anything else since that day… the date has been canceled, too…”
“It’s not really your fault.”
“I’m not that kind of woman… Hic. T-that guy made him misunderstand…”
“It seems like that, too…”
“… …”
The look in her eyes had begun to look weirder and weirder. My mind flashed back to the past.
‘Please don’t do this. Please, please, let’s live peacefully.’
I didn’t know what she was thinking, but Jung Hayan-nim’s face was slowly stiffening.
‘Please. Please… Please, just hold it in.’