‘Damn it... he should’ve just stayed at home... Where on earth has he been going to?’
“...”
“...”
‘Damn it.’
I was so shocked that I thought I was getting pranked. That guy was definitely working on-site, and now, all of a sudden, he was critically wounded and unconscious while out on a hunt.
I didn't particularly care if Big Boy was hurt, but it was so sudden that I couldn't think straight.
‘You idiot. Damn it.’
Seeing my face twist, Jung Ha-Yan stared at me. Park Joo-Hwa's face was grim and dark. It wasn’t news anyone would want to bring, so it made sense she looked burdened. Bringing outside news into a closed Magic Tower like this...
‘Is he about to die or something?’
There was a high possibility that his condition was really bad.
“Um... t-then...” I stuttered.
“We’ve already completed all the paperwork. You can leave,” Park Joo-Hwa said.
I was different from the ordinary apprentice mages, but apprentices normally couldn't leave the Magic Tower until their term had ended. Despite that, they allowed me to leave. It wasn’t unreasonable to think that Big Boy was on his deathbed.
“I should go see him,” I said.
“...”
“...”
‘Ah, right. I have my Telescope.’
When I was about to leave, I activated my Telescope and aimed it at Big Boy...
"Ugh... I-I’m going to die. Really..."
"You just woke up... You almost died, you idiot."
I could see Big Boy talking with Carlton with a pale face.
‘Damn it, he’s not about to die. He’s perfectly alive.’
However, I had to look pale here.
‘It’s even better.’
Jung Ha-Yan was staring at me, after all. It was only natural for me to look panicked. The kid who usually seemed so composed and reckless looked as if he were having a panic attack, as he was fidgeting helplessly.
I had to appear more pitiful than just sad.
“H-How... how...” I muttered.
“...”
I felt Jung Ha-Yan's gaze.
“H-How is he? His condition isn’t that serious, right?” I asked.
“...”
Tears welled up in my eyes at once, and finally, large drops began to fall.
“I-I have to go. Right now...” I said.
Upon seeing that, Jung Ha-Yan made the most natural move, saying, “I-I’ll take you there.”
‘Right, since you can use warp.’
Until just a moment ago, we had been strangers, but now, we weren't strangers anymore. Considering First Life Ha-Yan’s personality, it was only natural for her to say such words.
Jung Ha-Yan held my hand tightly, seemingly wanting me to calm down. When she cast the spell, the scenery changed in an instant.
Just moments ago, we were in Jung Ha-Yan’s room, and now, we were standing before the front gates of the Blue Guild.
I was worried that she would go back right away, but Jung Ha-Yan would never allow herself to abandon a restless kid.
Sure enough, she followed along, still gripping my hand tightly as she led me straight into the Blue Guild’s infirmary. She was clearly trying to calm me down, whispering again and again.
“I-It’ll be fine.”
When the door to the infirmary opened, Big Boy’s figure appeared. Of course, he was on the bed...
“W-What? K-Kid?” Big Boy said.
Since Jung Ha-Yan’s eyes were on me, I couldn’t help but throw myself at him.
‘Ha-Yan, you’re watching, right? Right?’
“H-Hyung!” I called out.
“Wh-What the... What the hell...” he muttered.
‘Looks like he just woke up. Damn, looks like meat shields really are sturdy.’
He seemed capable of withstanding wounds. More importantly, I was here to show Jung Ha-Yan our strong bond. I charged at Big Boy as if I were tackling him head-on, and he groaned in pain.
Soon afterward, he pulled me into a tight hug, seemingly understanding my feelings.
“Damn it... Carlton! I told you, no matter what, don’t contact him! Damn it!” Big Boy yelled at him.
“Then what, you idiot, let the kid be left in the dark when you’re about to die?! You want me to take the blame? You should’ve taken better care of yourself,” Carlton yelled at him.
“It’s just some scratches... Why all the fuss? About to die? Look at me. I’m fine! What do you mean, I’m about to die?!” Big Boy shouted.
“Yeah, you're fine now, but you actually almost died, you idiot! Damn, you thick-headed fool. I’m not even going to waste my breath. Had you been an ordinary guy, you would have died a hundred times over,” Yoojin said.
‘The wounds are deep. Even moving looks hard for him.’
Perhaps out of embarrassment, Big Boy snapped at Carlton and Yoojin for no reason, but even so, he didn’t let go of me.
‘How can he let go of me?’
I was drenched in tears. I wasn’t sobbing loudly, but I was whimpering like a puppy while shedding tears. Big Boy’s bandaged chest was soaked with my tears. Even from an objective viewpoint, there was no denying that it made for a beautiful scene.
“Just stay back... a little...” Big Boy muttered.
‘Then why are you hugging me tighter, you idiot.’
I stuck to him like glue and showed no sign of letting go. I couldn’t guess what Jung Ha-Yan was thinking as she stared at us while awkwardly standing on the side.
The atmosphere in the infirmary was heavy and uncomfortable.
Finally, after what felt like ages, I calmed down enough to ease the tension.
“Damn it... I said it was nothing serious. What do you mean by fatal wound?” Big Boy said.
“...”
“I just took a stab and briefly lost consciousness. That’s all,” Big Boy added.
‘The world calls that a serious wound, you ignorant bastard.’
“All of you came running. Instead of fussing over useless things, you should be studying harder, kid. That’ll help us more. How did you even come out here? And seriously... all of you are making a fuss over nothing...” Big Boy complained.
‘First, I should shut this guy up.’
“What on earth were you doing, hyung?!” I shouted.
Naturally, I yelled at him, and as expected, Big Boy went quiet as a mouse.
“Why did you let yourself get into this state... You’ve got enough money! You don’t have to do dangerous stuff anymore!” I continued.
“...”
“...”
“You stupid brat. What do you mean enough money? Do you know how much money we have to spend on different things? We have to buy magic items—no, you don’t need to know that... Anyway, just listen. For people who live by the sword... this is how it is.. This, damn it, is all decorations and honors!" Big Boy argued.
I could see Big Boy trying to make excuses, but he looked dejected under the kid’s glare.
“W-Well... that’s...” Big Boy muttered.
“Honor?! Honor?! Honor? Is that what you’re really calling it?!” I screamed.
‘A thunderous rebuke!’
“D-Does that even make sense?!” I yelled.
‘A scolding strike!’
“You said you’d let me study! You said you’d let me study in peace! You shouldn’t have worried me like this! Who told you not to work? Living by the sword, my ass! I told you to stop doing this kind of work! Who told you to stop?!” I complained.
“...”
“Carlton hyung, did I tell him not to do it?! Did I?” I asked.
“I-I don’t know why you’re getting mad at me... I’m just going to stay quiet,” Carlton said.
“You guys should’ve stopped Big Boy! Charging into danger without caring if you live or die and getting hurt! How am I supposed to focus on my studies? How can I know this won’t happen again?! Heuk... how can I be at ease in the Magic Tower... huh?!” I questioned.
Tears loaded, ready to fire.
“Heuk... heuk... kgh...”
Once again, the tears that I had been holding back fell in heavy drops. At this point, there was nothing Big Boy could do. All he could really do was hug me tightly.
Carlton and Yoojin stepped forward, patting my head. Of course, something more important remained. After the beautiful reunion came to an end, my eyes drifted toward Jung Ha-Yan, who was sitting somewhere in an awkward corner.
The traces of my earlier tears hadn’t yet faded, but I couldn’t leave her isolated any longer. It wasn't just me; everyone else finally realized that Jung Ha-Yan was also present in the room.
‘These idiots are seriously so oblivious. How come they haven't noticed her until now?’
“Wh-Whoa! Of crap! It’s Jung Ha-Yan!”
“Wh-What?! M-Miss Jung Ha-Yan... Miss Jung Ha-Yan?”
“Huh? HUH?!”
‘Wow, I’m starting to wonder if these guys are the same species as me.’
Jung Ha-Yan sitting absentmindedly raised her hand with a slightly shy look.
“Um... hello,” Jung Ha-Yan greeted.
After quickly wiping my tears, I had no choice but to control the situation.
“H-How could someone like Miss Jung Ha-Yan come to such a shabby place...” Carlton mumbled.
‘Shabby? This is the Blue Guild, man. Not your house.’
“A-Am I dreaming right now? I’m not, right? Carlton,” Yoojin asked.
“Pinch my cheek, Yoojin... I’m puzzled as well,” Carlton replied.
“...”
“...”
“I’ve been assigned as Miss Jung Ha-Yan’s research assistant. By Master Giena's special order,” I told them.
“W-Woah! Really?” Yoojin asked.
“Wh-What the... Our kid was a real genius all along,” Carlton commented.
“I-It’s nothing special. I’m just helping her out with some chores. It’s not as impressive as you guys think,” I said.
“Still, come on! It’s Miss Jung Ha-Yan! How is this nothing?!” Big Boy shouted.
“L-Looks like you really were a genius. Hey, Big Boy. Looks like the kid you picked up really was a genius,” Carlton said.
Their fussing lasted only a moment because they remembered that Jung Ha-Yan was right there in front of them. They scrambled to switch to flattery mode. Even Big Boy tried to sit up, and I had to shove him back down.
“P-Please take care of the brat,” Big Boy said.
“By any chance... could we get your autograph...?” Yoojin asked.
“Huh? M-My autograph...? I, uh... don’t have one of those,” Jung Ha-Yan said.
“This is all the money I’ve got, but... please look after the kid...” Big Boy offered.
‘That crazy bastard. Is he seriously trying to bribe her?’
Honestly, they were really embarrassing me, but...
‘The mood feels nice.’
The noisy, bustling atmosphere looked even better. It was the kind of scene I wanted to show Jung Ha-Yan.
“W-Would you maybe... like to have a meal with us?” Big Boy offered.
“Huh? No, I... I...” Jung Ha-Yan stuttered.
“Let’s get the table set, yeah?” he said.
“You’re supposed to be resting. What are you doing talking about food? Just lie down already!” I scolded him.
It was chaotic, messy, and anything but organized, but it gave off the warmth of family. Blood ties didn’t matter. Before long, a table was somehow set up by the sickbed, and Jung Ha-Yan, too, ended up taking a seat, unable to resist the mood.
She looked exactly like a middle schooler awkwardly eating dinner at a friend’s house for the first time, and she looked ridiculously cute.
“MIss Jung Ha-Yan, do you drink? I make a mean drink, you know,” Carlton offered.
“Listen to this idiot talk. You think Miss Jung Ha-Yan would drink your cheap liquor? I’ve got the good stuff—”
‘Now I get why people say they’re embarrassed of their parents.’
I couldn’t even raise my head.
“Please stop, guys!” I shouted.
“Y-You just stay put. We’re doing all of this for you,” Big Boy said.
At least she didn’t run away from the table. In fact, Jung Ha-Yan chuckled quietly, looking as if she didn’t dislike the atmosphere.