I knew Hyunsung would feel the same, too.
He for sure wouldn't express it openly, but upon seeing me, a welcoming feeling shone in his eyes. We had both been so busy that it was nice just to be able to see each other like this. We were like a busy couple who only managed to find time to relax now.
Even though we were aware that we were living in the same house, we were so busy that we could only see each other when going to and returning from work.
I knew I, myself, had been busy, and I knew Hyunsung was, too.
Of course, I didn't know the details of what he did exactly, but at least I could be sure that he was ready for the future to come.
Kim Hyunsung was very diligent and had no way of doing a crappy job. I felt curious as to what he had been up to.
"You're here."
Once he noticed that we had been waiting for him, he replied.
"Forgive me for being late. Something suddenly came up."
"It's okay, Hyunsung-ssi."
"I was thinking of joining you guys..."
"You said you had a business affair with the Black Swan."
"Actually, I don't think I'll be talking about this here. It'll be better to tell you about it once the party ends. For now, let's enjoy the arrival of our newcomers."
"Alright."
'It seems a bit serious...'
As we had spent a long time together, it was easy to tell when something was off. Kim Hyunsung's expression definitely didn't look very good. Something was obviously bothering him.
Of course, his expression had only been brief, and as soon as the stories of the new recruits came out, his expression shifted into one of happiness. However, he couldn't fool me.
'He's thinking about something...'
There was nothing I could predict because nothing had been revealed in context.
I started to remember that Park Yeon-joo of Black Swan had constantly been talking to Kim Hyunsung. I thought she was expressing interest at the time, but now that I thought about it, I felt like they did have a pretty serious conversation.
'Did anyone cause some trouble?'
I couldn't imagine the Red Mercenary or the Black Swan guilds in crisis.
First, the Guild Master Park Yeon-joo was in a good situation, and even when I spoke with Lee Jihye, I couldn't find anything unusual. I couldn't help but feel bothered.
After Kim Hyunsung patted my shoulder, I started to move. Of course, all guild members' eyes were focused on him. Seeing him trying to join and take a seat was quite the spectacle. I thought it was time for him to say something, so I decided to push him a little.
"Please say something, Guild Master."
"Yes. Hyung-ssi should say something since we're all gathered like this!"
"Ah..."
Hyunsung seemed embarrassed, but he didn't look upset. Eventually, he stood up.
"Yes. I think it would be better. First of all, I'm sorry for being late. I tried to come as soon as possible, but some things held me up."
"It's because of work and nothing else. You don't even have to apologize. You're running around busily in order to feed us."
"Haha. Thank you for thinking so. Actually, I planned today's meeting, but since I didn't actually prepare, giving a congratulatory speech seems very embarrassing. Yoo Ahyoung, Lee Chang-ryul, Han Sora, and Ahn Ki-mo... I haven't been able to talk much with you since I wasn't at the training center, but I feel like you are good people."
In fact, they were chosen based on ability rather than disposition, but I kept this to myself.
"Of course, you must have the ability to combine it. Actually, with Chang-ryul-ssi, I checked it myself. Anyway, it's nice to meet you all. It may sound obvious, but we, Blue, are aiming for a family-like guild. I'm probably not alone with this idea."
"That's right."
"Lee Sang-hee and Hwang Jeong-yeon, who first founded Blue, think so, too... Also, Kiyoung-ssi, Hayan-ssi, and Deokgu-ssi, who came here first, and Ye-ri, Hee-young-ssi, and Hyejin-ssi, who came in after that, are all probably thinking the same thing. The same goes for Dialugia."
Though fellowship tended to be a bit of an overkill, this kind of friendship was very welcome.
"Thank you to all the members who made this guild come alive... Thank you to all of you who are new. You will not regret choosing Blue. Finally..."
"Welcome to Blue."
When I saw him talking with a slight smile on his lips, I had to admit that he was handsome.
Seeing that the faces of Cho Hyejin and Kim Ye-ri were subtly reddening, it seemed that I was not the only one thinking about this. If Kim Hyunsung had stayed back on Earth, he probably would've made a living just from his looks alone.
"Let's all raise the glasses."
Of course, it was Park Deokgu who screamed the loudest.
"Let's drink!"
And then, the small party started.
Yoo Ahyoung felt distracted with the colorful food in front of her that she couldn't have possibly eaten while she had been a trainee.
Jung Hayan and Sun Hee-young were quietly eating food on either side of me, and Kim Hyunsung and Lee Sang-hee were talking about various things.
Although it was a dinner party, the number of people exceeded ten, so we all ended up talking separately in the end. Of course, it was Park Deokgu who always showed an unrivaled performance in such a place. It was enough to hear him talking loudly, even from here.
"No, but why does Chang-ryul wear a mask like that?"
"Uncle Chang-ryul. It's in his mouth. He has that... Stinging."
"Huh?"
"I... the other day... we fought once. While taking the entrance test and... though he fights a little dirty, he's not all that bad. I feel like he's talented."
At least Park Deokgu and Kim Ye-ri had Chang-ryul covered. Meanwhile, the focus fell on Han Sora.
"Ah. Is Han Sora really uncomfortable with her legs? Well, don't worry about anything. Our Hyung-nim and Hee-young are the types of people who can heal a crippled flower! If they start treating it properly, you'll be able to stand up in less than three days. Right, Hee-young?"
"I have to try, but... I'm not sure. I've already treated it once, but the aftereffects still remained, but of course, if she continues exercising, her condition will get better than it is now."
"Of course, you'll get better! And don't worry about your eyes—if Kiyoung-ssi's miracle potion doesn't work, he'll at least attach a glass eye!"
"T-Thank you."
Unfortunately, I didn't have the ability to heal crippled flowers. Of course, I thought it would be nice to have it, but it was beyond my ability to perfect Han Sora's physical condition.
"I heard about you... Well, I mean, you suffered after getting in at my Hayan's magic lab. Don't worry, though! Our Hayan! Huh? She's the icon of forgiveness. There's no angel like her!"
"Hic..."
"Right? Hayan?"
"Yes. I-I made a mistake, too. Still, from next time you c-c-can't do that, okay?"
"Ah... Argh..."
"Don't worry! Urinary incontinence will also be cured!"
Park Deokgu was really something. This time, he focused on Dialugia.
"And about her... Well, newcomers haven't seen her, but in fact, her real identity is a dragon."
The horns on the head were enough for one to guess.
"I saw her original form once in the Siege of Castle Rock... No, well! A bad wizard in some dungeon controlled this dragon. And just like that, Hyung-nim was the one who gave a helping hand to her! What did Hyung-nim say back then...?"
"Stop the attack! Stop the attack! Don't attack anymore! He shouted and blocked her front. Phew! If he were a girl, I would have fallen in love at that moment! Even the dragon's son! So, he was protecting Tol To-ri, holding him in one hand!"
I felt embarrassed.
"Actually, it was fortunate that we didn't fight back then. Obviously, if I had been hit with that paw, I would have died immediately. If you get swallowed in one bite, well, you won't be able to resist. Anyway, because of that, the dragon chose Hyung-nim. Oh, right. Then it turned out that there was something like an energy wave coming out of the dragon's mouth."
"It's called Breath."
"Breath or energy wave, they're the same! But what's interesting about this is that Hyung-nim made that Breath a potion!"
'This bastard...'
Deokgu was admittedly being too noisy, but I couldn't really blame him.
In fact, thanks to him, the atmosphere became better, and some people were even smiling.
As he talked about Dialugia and me, I felt embarrassed and wanted to hide somewhere.
However, most of them looked and listened to him with interest. Truly, the atmosphere would've been gloomy without Deokgu here. I didn't have to take things into my own hands.
Of course, it didn't take long for Deokgu to take the wrong conversational path.
"When he first said he was going to be an alchemist, you don't know how much I tried to stop him. Of course, I believed in him back then, but he still chose to be an alchemist after leaving a cool job like a warlock... Now, it's all proved to be the right choice, but well, I was looking down the production staff at that time."
"Ah... Yes."
"Speaking of which, countless possibilities are open to production workers, too! It's all up to you. I realized it upon seeing Hyung-nim."
"You really mean that, Deokgu Oppa?"
"Ah, is Ahyoung also interested in it?"
"Ah... Yes. At first, I was unsure if I would go for a combat job, but Instructor Lee Kiyoung told me that I had potential... So I decided to dig into this seriously."
"Ohhhhhh... I see!"
"And..."
"Yes?"
"Actually, I have a second class change ahead. I haven't chosen yet, but... That..."
"What?"
"I have the blacksmith as an option."
Silence filled the room. Kim Hyunsung's expression was that of an urgent one.
There was a bit of embarrassment on Ahyoung's face as she looked at Park Deokgu. Not surprisingly, I heard Park Deokgu muttering.
"Blacksmith... seems good..."
'This crazy bastard...'
At this, Kim Hyunsung spoke up as well.
"Ahyoung-ssi, did you have any other classes?"
"Ah. There are two options. One is a blacksmith, while the other is a defensive warrior."
"That's not bad. It's surprising that you only have two options, but it's probably a side effect of your lopsided growth. If you become a defensive warrior, you'll be able to do your part."
"Defense Warrior... Well, I think it would be nice, but... In fact, all the basic shield knowledge comes with the class effect that I can teach."
'Don't start, you bastard.'
"Think about it. Hyung-nim chose an alchemist, but what about the magic power that he shows right now? It's better than just wizards."
I was, of course, a special case.
"People who walk on special paths that other people have not originally walked get more attention! Well, isn't it a complete fraud to make weapons with a hammer that kills monsters, all while lifting a shield?"
"It... makes sense, but there will be a difference in growth as we go to the second half. As Ahyoung-ssi is talented, she will probably be able to get a heroic-grade or higher legendary-grade class."
"Well, let's say, a legendary-grade blacksmith might rip off a monster's head with a hammer at once."
"No... Such a thing...."
Kim Hyunsung also looked perplexed by the lack of logic.
"The choice will be up to Ahyoung-ssi, but if you think about Hyung-nim's case, it'll be nice to go for a blacksmith! A new breeze is coming! Yoo Ahyoung, a genius blacksmith who can make anything! Wow... Doesn't it make your heart shake, just thinking about this?"
"Of course, that doesn't mean that production workers are bad. As Deokgu said, considering Kiyoung-ssi's case, there is a possibility. However, considering Ahyoung's talent, you can get enough results even if you take the classic route. From a comprehensive perspective, it would be ideal to choose a warrior as well."
Kim Hyunsung's words were, in fact, true.
Of course, one needed a blacksmith. However, Yoo Ahyoung was too good to settle for this.
"Considering Ahyoung's talent, she can be strong without taking the regular route! Lindel needs a new wind! I definitely recommend going for the blacksmith!"
"If Ahyoung-ssi chooses to be a defensive warrior, I will give this shield as a gift."
Kim Hyunsung was employing the same tactic as the time he urged me to be an alchemist.
The one thing Kim Hyunsung overlooked, however, was that Park Deokgu was no longer a child.
"If you choose to be a blacksmith, I will not only pass onto you my shield skills, but I will also give this hammer as a gift!"
It was a heavy hammer that he one day acquired from a dungeon expedition. Kim Hyunsung's face was stained with embarrassment for a brief moment.
"Blacksmith! Originally, a person with a wide chest can hit with a hammer!"
"Go for a defense warrior. Don't let that talent go to waste."
"That talent can be fully demonstrated elsewhere! Blacksmith!"
"Defense warrior!"
"Blacksmith!"
"Defense warrior!"
"Blaacksmiiiith!"
'This... this crazy pig...'
What was even more embarrassing was that I felt convinced by Park Deokgu for some reason.
Yoo Ahyoung's expression showed her embarrassment since she didn't know that the topic she threw would overheat like this.
"Defense Warrior!"
"Blacksmith! Blacksmith, no matter what!"
"The defense warrior is better, I'm sure."
"Defense warrior!"
"Blacksmith!"
"Defense Warrior!"
"Blacksmith! She needs to wield the hammer!"
Yoo Ahyoung looked conflicted.