Chapter 432: Re: Life in that World, Starting From Zero (1)
I thought I knew what it was like to die of weakness by then. I couldn't even believe that I had been sleeping for three days.
When I thought about the fact that a Templar came to visit me, a member of a group that never showed their face even in times of great crisis, I could at least understand that what I went through shouldn't be seen as something comedic.
I definitely managed to endure Cha Hee-ra, but after that, Elena's guilt-ridden theft had completely shattered Light Kiyoung's body.
Lee Jihye, who was humming and adjusting her clothes, danced to a rhythm as if she was in a good mood. Her flushed and sweaty face felt strangely sexy.
Of course, I couldn't afford to start another rambunctious round. Could a body cursed by the demon even do that?
I had a hard time moving my body even, though I had already taken several potions. It felt as if I had been beaten with at least a semi-mythic grade debilitating curse without wearing any artifacts, and I wasn't joking, either.
"I've been asleep for three days?"
"Yes. They said it was because your body was exhausted... The experts also said that there's nothing wrong with you. She's giving you potions in sap, so it's understandable. In addition to the potion you made, you're also taking something from the World Tree, so she must have taken care of your health properly."
'I hope so, Jihye.'
"After the Templar took a look at you, he began to mumble and went outside, saying that there was simply a misunderstanding. Even after that, it was a little weird that you only fell asleep. But you were really tired, right? And it's also been hard for you mentally. Why are you making that face, though? Are you not feeling well? Shall I bring in a priest?"
"No. I'm still tired. This is driving me crazy... Did I really take something from the World Tree? All I did was sleep, but why am I so tired? Is my body really fucked up? No one has put an energy drain spell on me, right?"
"You're just getting older. Well, looking at you today, it looks like you're still alive and kicking. Or was I that attractive?"
"..."
"We have good chemistry, right?"
I nodded roughly at Lee Jihye's useless words and groped around the desk next to the bed with my weak hands, causing something to fall.
[Visitor list]
[Lee Jihye] 08:43 AM – 09:50 AM
[Cha Heera] 11:00 AM – 12:14 AM
[Jung Hayan] 15:03 PM – 15:10 PM
[Elena] 18:05 PM – 20:02 PM
[Cha Heera] 22:23 PM – 23:03 PM
[Cha Heera] 05:02 AM – 06:04 AM
[Lee Jihye] 08:23 AM – 09:10 AM
[Jung Hayan] 09:21 AM – 09:29 AM
[Jung Hayan] 10:55 AM – 11:05 AM
[Jung Hayan] 12:11 PM- 12:22 PM
[Jung Hayan] 15:42 PM – 15:52 PM
[Elena] 18:05 PM – 20:02 PM
[# # # # # #]
'What's this?'
It all felt so ridiculous that I almost laughed. At the same time, I couldn't help but feel really grateful for them coming regularly.
'Thinking of me so much would make me cry.'
Still, it was also noticeable that they gave me a break in the middle of the visits, as if they thought I needed personal time and time to rest.
Jung Hayan only stayed for ten minutes every time she came, as if she tried her best to finish her business with me very quickly. Cha Hee-ra stayed for about an hour. I didn't see Elena's name much on the list, but as she was well-regulated, she visited me twice on the same time frame, filled in two hours, and then left.
Even Lee Jihye was a regular. It seemed that organically adjusting the time and coming by seemed to express her personality well.
As I looked at her quietly, I saw her clearing her throat.
Although other people were coming by, most of the visitors for the past three days were those four. Since I didn't know how much they thought of me up until now, I couldn't help but shed tears of gratitude.
I wondered if they had done something to me...
'No. There's no way they would.'
No matter how weird those people were, they wouldn't have behaved impulsively around me as a patient.
I shook my head.
After I cleared my mind, I began to gulp the contents of a potion silently. Once again, I felt something like the water of life going down my throat.
'Did I choose to be an alchemist for this? I'm dying in shame.'
"You're drinking a lot of potions."
"It's like a pick-me-up. It's a rejuvenating drink too. I really feel like my body has weakened."
"You did a lot. Honestly, it's time to take a little break. It would be strange if you didn't feel anything. I don't think it's anything serious, though."
"If so, that's good."
"But you'll be told not to overdo it for a few days. Do you think you're alone? In those three days, the country, no, the continent was in chaos... Oh, is this something you already know?"
"That the quests are gone? And that the dungeons disappeared too? I was the first one to hear about it."
"Hmm. Pope Basel was right. It seemed like you should have announced it, but as you know, you couldn't do that because you were lying in a sickbed. Pope Basel himself preached that meaning to the continent."
"Good job. What was the public's reaction?"
"What do you think?"
"Hmm."
"It was a tremendous uproar. Well, it would've been weirder if they didn't react that way. The system that has maintained the continent has been overturned all at once. Fortunately, the foreigners had work to do. As you know, the Demon Summoner Jin Qing testified about the spread of demonic officials on the continent. Thanks to that, the Adventurers Guild is preparing to go on an expedition to the scattered evil dungeons. And... there is also the Crack Land."
"That's still..."
"It's about to open, oppa."
"What? It's been completed?"
"The day you passed out, Cha Hee-ra personally came and told me that I'd have to proceed with it immediately. I could tell what you would be picturing, so I just proceeded with that, but that's a good thing, right? Manager Kim Miyoung helped me a lot. Oh, that person's ability is very good."
"She's a valuable talent. I think I need to raise her salary."
"Please do that. Please give her a generous bonus, too. Currently, the funds are coming 30% from the Blue and 60% from the Red Mercenary. About 5% came from the Black Swan and 5% from Yuno Kasugano... Those are all after I limited all the small things. I used the dwarves, Max, Lindel's wizards, and other human resources to set up a distribution network using a minimum workforce. In fact, it's embarrassing to call it a commercial district because I didn't have time to make it better. It would be better if you go and experience it yourself."
"I thought it would be good if things progressed swiftly, but this is going way too fast."
"Oh, this is just the framework. From the beginning, Max was the one who was constantly preparing. There are a lot of things to refine externally, but there's nothing wrong with the internal affairs of the museum."
'Of course, there isn't.'
She had finally revealed her true nature, but that didn't happen in just a couple of days. I simply nodded in reply.
'Okay... you really are good quality. After all, we are soulmates.'
I didn't know how she could always tackle the issues I needed to focus on the most. In my eyes, she had become even lovelier.
It was then that Lee Jihye spoke once more.
"You look satisfied."
"I actually am. Thanks, nuna."
"Then I can also get one now, right?"
"Uh?"
"The Infinity Stone... no, the ring on Cha Hee-ra's and Jung Hayan's finger. Could you give me one too? It isn't very pleasant to be the third, and I think I deserve one too. I'll wear it all the time, so don't worry."
"Ah. Yeah..."
It would've been complicated even if I were to say I couldn't.
'And there is no reason not to give her one as well.'
Considering what Lee Jihye had done so far in the first place, she was more than deserving of it. It wouldn't look cool since I was lying on the sickbed, but I took out the ring with a large yellow jewel and started to put it on her finger.
Lee Jihye seemed expressionless as I did so, but once I had finally slipped it into her finger, she laughed as if she was in a good mood.
"If you can get up, let's go for a meal."
"I can get up. By the way, were you always here?"
"It's because I was busy preparing Crack Land for its grand opening, I was always busy. It's been quite a while since I last returned to our guild. Anyone would think I'm from the Blue Guild."
"Hmm..."
As I nodded and stood up, it was surprising to see that my body was well-functioning. I felt like I was getting healthier as I started walking around.
As I stepped outside, the people who we passed by looked at me and greeted me.
Most of them sported a surprised expression and gave me different gifts or thoughts, but, of course, Elena was the one that stood out among them.
She couldn't come to me easily. Rather, she hesitated at a distance. Interestingly, there was terrible guilt written all over her face.
'What did she really do to look like that?'
She looked a little different from her usual self. She was lowering her head as her ears reddened.
I tried to talk about my current physical condition, but it was regrettable that I couldn't do it since the moment I approached her, she ran away from me.
That wasn't the only thing that I found strange.
'Where are the other people?'
"Where are all the Blue Guild members?"
"Where do you think? They're at the museum. I told you we're finishing the final touches. Deokgu also woke up two days ago and joined them right away. There are probably many Red Mercenary members there too. Actually, you should've been there this morning. What a shame."
"Are you promoting it?"
"Yes. I always am. It has no choice but to work as it's a substitute for other dungeons anyway. Well, you know this better, but..."
When we arrived at the restaurant, she ordered a simple dish.
"It isn't much since it's just the drawing of the design, but I think you can take a look at it..."
After taking a spoonful of food into my mouth, I, too, began to see the Crack Land's exact appearance.
'It's not all that bad.'
If this was a collaboration between manager Kim Miyoung and Lee Jihye, it would surely feel reliable enough.
I had to experience the details myself, but I thought they basically had the right idea.
I couldn't predict how the current market would accept it, but the basic composition deserved applause.
'It's what I exactly had in mind.'
They had devised a structure that typically exploited the commoners.
"I don't think I need to see it..."
"No. You have to see it. Because it's not reflecting your opinion, I think it would be better to experience it yourself."
"Is there a way?"
"What kind of stupid question is that? Aren't you the one managing that place? It won't look good if you just enter it normally. You should wear a disguise and experience it from the perspective of a commoner. It should be a great change of pace. It's divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses, and the ranks are rare, heroic, and legendary."
"Would that be good enough...?"
I was actually feeling lazy, and it wasn't really a busy time.
After coming to Lindel, I expected to have a crazy time, but my focus had been almost entirely on Crack Land due to my duty to the people.
Above all, I wanted to get out of the current situation a little.
'It would be less dangerous to enter the dungeon.'
I thought something similar as I pushed the fatigue recovery potion back into my throat.
"It would be better to do that."
"Are you serious?"
"Sure."
"I know I suggested it, but it's still strange that you accepted it. Then... Should I set up a separate party?"
"No. You don't have to. There are a lot of parties in the square. I'll go get one myself."
Only through the eyes of the common people could I feel exactly how much Crack Land could exploit them.