Chapter 543: Sincerest Apologies (3)
This really was a situation that could draw some attention. To be fair, it was the first time that the Blue Guild Master and the Vice Guild Master were seen in Heren together.
That was even more so considering how famous Kim Hyunsung and I were, even in the empire.
Even if we had come alone, we would’ve caught a lot of attention. It almost felt like we were monkeys in a zoo. Even if they tried not to, they couldn’t stop themselves from taking glances at us.
‘I’m kind of used to it now…’
In addition to this, it also seemed like they were trying to accommodate us.
They must have heard that all the Blue Guild members were on a break right at that moment and thought we were in the city to rest.
Normally, they would’ve approached us to shake hands, but that day, they only stared at us from afar.
‘This is pretty nice. I like the town people here…’
“Didn’t they say that they were on a break? Why did they suddenly visit Heren?”
“Where are the other guild members? I guess it’s just them. Isn’t that a first?”
“Be quiet.”
I could hear their voices, but they quickly grew quiet.
I didn’t know if Kim Hyunsung was aware or not, but as if he had gotten confidence again, he started to walk forward. It didn’t take us long to arrive at the restaurant.
“Huh? Oh! Welcome.”
“I reserved a table under Kim Hyunsung.”
“Ah! Ah! Yes, I’ll take you inside. I-It’s for two, right?”
“Yes.”
“What would you like to order?”
“What would you recommend?”
“Our restaurant’s best-sellers are…”
‘Ah, you little sh*t. You even got us a spot at the terrace.’
It seemed like the restaurant employee hadn’t expected that Kim Hyunsung would be that Kim Hyunsung. It was evident on his flushed face.
I was about to ask our waiter to just make the order for us, but Kim Hyunsung went into a lengthy conversation about the menu’s choices with the employee. He asked what was fine or the tastiest dish and talked for a couple of minutes like he was debating. He almost looked like a businessman about to sign an important contract.
Of course, I was only concerned about our surroundings.
“Did they fight?”
“Don’t you think the atmosphere is a bit cold? It was like that since a while ago. I’m sure something’s going on.”
‘There’s nothing, ladies. Ah, since we are sitting here, we can’t even act like bystanders.’
I didn’t want rumors about a feud between The Blue Guild Master and Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung on tomorrow’s gossip news.
I didn’t think that Kim Hyunsung was aiming for it, but I had to relax my expression much more than before. I could block the press, but I had to be careful of rumors.
“I will get this… Kiyoung-ssi…”
“Then, I will take the same thing.”
“Ah, yes. Then, we will get that for you. Would you also like some wine…?”
“I think I asked for the restaurant to prepare a specific one in advance. Did you not receive my message?”
“Ah! No. Let me check… ah, yes. We’ve prepared the wine. I-I apologize. We’ll bring it soon. Please have a good time until then.”
“Thank you.”
“You already prepared the wine?”
“Yes. Have you perhaps heard of Grave grapes before?”
“I think it’s the first time I heard of it…”
“There is a small cave not far from here. Interestingly, I heard that there are grapes that only grow there, and this restaurant is the only one that sells them. The cave was discovered 150 years ago, and I heard that I could get a bottle of wine that was fermented since it was found, so I asked for it.”
“That’s interesting. I wonder if there’s a dungeon inside there.”
“Many investigation teams had been sent there, but nothing was found. It must be a bit different case than Mirror Lake.”
“Hmm…”
“Well… That aside, Kiyoung-ssi.”
“Yes?”
“I want to express my feelings of grat.i.tude first.”
“Sorry?”
“The item you got me at the sea of dimensions…”
“Ah, you don’t have to worry about that. No one could use that but you anyway. To be exact, I didn’t even give it to you…”
“Still, I will take proper care of the pendant you gave me.”
“You don’t really have to thank me.”
“And… Ah… What happened at the sea of dimensions… I want to apologize formally… You must have felt uncomfortable and thought it was sudden, but the reason why I wanted to give you a ring…”
‘This b.a.s.t.a.r.d, sh*t, what is he getting so serious for?’
Everyone was staring at us. It seemed Hyunsung was so nervous that he had forgotten to cancel sounds.
I quickly covered it with magic… but if someone had been eavesdropping, they probably heard everything he had said. I could already see people who were whispering to each other.
‘Seriously. I felt it during the time as Lee Kiyeon, but…’
He really didn’t know how to set the timing or read the atmosphere. It was a wonder how he was able to maintain people’s relationships in the first timeline.
Rumors could spread about a conflict among the guild members due to the distribution of an item we found in a dungeon.
His voice probably hadn’t spread outside, but people there were probably making up their own stories.
‘The atmosphere here is like that.’
Just because I had the ability to cancel the noise didn’t mean I could do the same for the atmosphere.
Everyone who was in the restaurant that was glancing at us must all have noticed it.
I also wanted to take his apology and slowly bring up the mood, but at that moment, I had to say something quickly.
“I don’t want to discuss this here.”
“Ah… I understand.”
Kim Hyunsung’s first trial failed, but I had to recover from the situation first.
“But… that’s right. I was a little hasty. I apologize.”
‘Man, don’t look so dejected. People are whispering, you sh*t.’
“Let’s eat first. I think you’ll like the wine, so I’m looking forward to it. It tastes great.”
“Is that right?”
‘Yeah, like that, keep putting up a bright expression.’
“Yes, I think it’s the best drink I’ve had recently. Actually, I couldn’t drink that much because I wasn’t feeling well, but I think it’s great, even with that considered. It’s definitely delicious.”
“That’s good.”
“By the way, are we going to leave after looking around a bit?”
“No, we still have a lot of places to visit… We have to take a look at the market…”
“Did something come in… from what I know, the marketplace here…Ah!”
“Yes, because of the current state of affairs, the auction house here will bring in the highest quality items. I can tell you first, but because I want to pay you back for what you gave me… Anyway, you can look forward to it.”
‘He must’ve found another Chanelia Hermes series again.’
It seemed like he wanted me to be really excited, but I really wasn’t.
The ones that had been found recently didn’t have special functions, and one was just like the other, and the designs weren’t all that different.
Even the infinity bag that Kim Hyunsung had first given me was overflowing in the exhibition hall.
Well, there were still some s.p.a.ces to fill in the exhibition hall. I pretended to be a bit excited, at least.
The people around us were cheerful. Because I thought we shouldn’t continue wallowing in such a strange atmosphere, I tried to maintain my brightest expression, and even though I didn’t really try, a smile naturally formed on my lips.
I didn’t know if the restaurant’s chef had put everything into those dishes, but the food and wine were perfect. The service was great too.
It felt like I was in the greatest restaurant like in Lindel or the empire.
The atmosphere naturally became better. We began to have a normal conversation again- about business and the guild.
We spent around an hour conversing about things I usually talked about with Kim Hyunsung. After finishing our meals, we headed straight to the auction, and to my surprise, there were some good collections.
[Chanelia Hermes’ Upgrading Bag- Legendary Cla.s.s]
[This bag had been made a century ago. It is called a masterpiece even among the bag series that the Legendary hunter and master leather craftsman, Chanelia Hermes, had made.
Finished by the said craftsman himself using unidentified leather, it exudes comfort but has the same durability as armors. By default, it has the ability to extend s.p.a.ces.
After a certain period, the items stored in this bag will be upgraded without penalty. If it cannot raise the level, it will increase the effect of the item. There is an additional function that raises the magic stat by 3.]
‘Sh*t…’
It didn’t enlarge like the infinity bag, but it upgraded the items stored inside it.
‘What could’ve happened if I didn’t see this?’
Of course, it wouldn’t make a Semi-Mythic grade potion into a Mythic grade, but it was something.
Even if it only upgraded the effect of a dragon breath’s potion even a little, it was worth a lot. It was the same for other legendary level potions. Its use was endless.
‘Even among the legendary items…’
It could be called an ultimate item. I was obsessed with it.
‘It was a good bag for other professionals.’
Archers could store their arrows, a.s.sa.s.sins could store their poison, and it was equally beneficial to everyone whose occupation involved creating products.
If Kim Hyunsung didn’t do it, I would have bought the item even if I had to empty my wallet.
‘Sh*t, my bag, why didn’t I bring it?”
All my cash was in there. I hoped that Kim Hyunsung had brought enough money to purchase that item.
As if he had perceived my thoughts, the host officially began the auction. People obviously showed interest in the item.
After taking a more careful look, I saw the archer from the empire’s eight seats, and everyone who had money to spare was in the building as well.
They seemed nervous to see Kim Hyunsung and me, but most of them were pa.s.sionately lifting their signs and increasing the item’s price. Seeing how the price continued to increase, Kim Hyunsung started to look nervous.
The price probably far exceeded his expectations, and perhaps he thought the amount of cash he had brought wouldn’t be enough.
It was because we could only purchase with the money that we had brought to the auction place.
Kim Hyunsung continued to lift his sign, and the price of the bag increased like crazy, exceeding 5 billion Hanwha.
‘Sneaky b.a.s.t.a.r.ds, sh*t.’
I could see some people who seemed to be a part of the auction were purposefully increasing the price.
“50,000 gold. Anyone else?”
“…”
“Yes, partic.i.p.ant 23. 60,000 gold.”
‘Hyunsung, sh*t you must carry around a couple of big loads.’
“Partic.i.p.ant 11 is 300,000 gold…”
‘It increased too much… Ha…’
As if he saw my anxious face, Kim Hyunsung lifted his sign firmly.
“Ah…yes, partic.i.p.ant 23… 1,000,000 gold… if there’s no one else, we will proceed with the bidding.”
At this, the hall became quiet.
Even if it was a great item, the price was not realistic.
‘Kim Hyunsung… you sh*t…’
The small burden in my heart seemed to melt away. I couldn’t help but realize that apologies filled with heartfelt sincerity always worked.