“Ah, it’s been a while since the kid came out, so shouldn’t we at least get him hambier?” Big Boy asked.
“Today must be a special day... because it’s sold out everywhere...” Carlton told him.
“Damn it,” Big Boy mumbled.
‘Why always with the hambier?’
“If we talk to the staff here... maybe they’ll bring us some?” Big Boy asked.
“Come on, we’re already being freeloaders just by borrowing this hospital room, and now you want to use the Blue Guild staff as errand boys? You think all this is free? It’s all debt, man,” Carlton scolded Big Boy.
‘It’s not debt, you idiots.’
“You don’t know how ruthless those bastards from the major guilds are. Even the so-called sponsorship for our kid isn’t free. They’re keeping a tally of every single expense, including us staying here and everything we’re using.
"They even pulled strings with the Magic Tower for us. Sure, we can't manage that on our own, but we have to make it look like we’re not relying on them too much. Otherwise, they’ll bite us in the ass later. That’s how these guys work,” Carlton explained.
“...”
‘It’s just Hye-Jin’s personal decision, though.’
“Otherwise, there's no reason for them to treat guys like us this well,” Carlton added.
Of course, it was a plausible suspicion. I realized that was probably the reason they never really had a permanent job. With thoughts like that running through their heads, there was no way they could simply accept the Blue Guild’s kindness in good faith.
Sure, there were unavoidable circumstances, but they probably thought they had to stop building my so-called "debt" to the Blue Guild. They didn’t want me to end up being crushed under something like student loans.
It was understandable, but...
‘They’re going overboard. And besides... all of that turned out useless anyway.’
“Haa...”
“Wh-What? What’s wrong, kid?” Carlton asked.
“If everything’s debt, then this time we’re in a lot of debt. This hospital room must be expensive, plus you even accepted help from the Blue Guild’s priests,” I said.
“Uh... uh... th-that’s true, but...”
“I get where you guys are coming from, but you guys should do it in moderation. If something’s too dangerous, you’re better off refusing. You guys always say that you pick your jobs carefully, and that’s how you survived this long. And now look at you, getting injured like this... Don’t feel like something’s not right?” I asked.
“Th-This time... it was just bad luck. We had thought it through—”
“Enough, Big Boy hyung. You just stay quiet and rest,” I interrupted him.
Big Boy shut his mouth in response.
Meanwhile, Carlton finally said, “B-But Miss Jung Ha-Yan.”
“Yes?”
Jung Ha-Yan seemed a little taken aback; she probably hadn't expected that the spotlight would turn to her, but like before, she seemed to find this kind of atmosphere rather comfortable.
“Is the little brat really a genius?” Carlton asked.
‘God, don’t ask stuff like that.’
“I-I don’t even know how to define genius... but what I can say for sure is that he has talent. Honestly, I think he’s far, far better than the other mages at the Magic Tower. Right now, he’s still young... so his mana has yet to fully develop, but in three years? No, in five years, he’ll be...” Jung Ha-Yan trailed off.
“...”
“...”
“D-Did you hear that, Yoojin?” Carlton asked.
“Y-Yeah, I heard, Carlton. Our kid is a genius,” Yoojin answered.
‘No, she said doesn’t really know. Why am I suddenly a genius again?’
“Heh... hehehehehe...” Jung Ha-Yan giggled.
“Here, have a drink, Miss Jung Ha-Yan,” Carlton offered.
“Ah, no, thank you. I’m not very good with alcohol,” Jung Ha-Yan refused.
Second Life Ha-Yan was good with alcohol.
“Then should I bring you some other drink?” Yoojin asked.
“I only brought alcohol. Do we need to go out again?” Carlton asked.
“No, I’m fine,” she said.
Big Boy chimed in. “See, you should’ve bought a bit of everything. What kind of spread is this?”
“Hyung, just stay quiet,” I told him.
Of course, it was my job to shut him up.
Their voices soon pervaded the room. At first, they were worried about making any mistakes, but the atmosphere eased up as soon as they had a drink or two.
Jung Ha-Yan no longer showed any sign of tension, but I had no idea if it was because the group was naturally friendly or if Ha-Yan was finally warming up to them.
She normally wouldn't drink, but now, she was sipping some of the cheap rum. Her cheeks eventually flushed slightly from the alcohol, and the thoughts she had been holding back began to spill out.
“I-It’s wrong.”
“...”
“The Magic Tower.. right now... it's bad! Where are all the mages who are endlessly seeking the truth! The mages today aren’t mages. They’re just tools of war. There are no truly awakened mages left!” Jung Ha-Yan continued.
Even though no one asked, she was scolding the current problems of the Magic Tower.
“Is... that so?” I asked.
“Yes, absolutely. Mages have been corrupted for quite some time now. Not all of them, of course... but back in my day, many mages learned a variety of spells before going on expeditions or entering dungeons. But now?” Jung Ha-Yan trailed off.
“...”
“Now, it’s not just hard to find those kinds of mages; there are plenty who only care about memorizing one more offensive spell. High firepower is great, sure, but that’s not the whole point of being a mage. Mages who go into dungeons to study relics or uncover hidden secrets? They don’t exist anymore,” Jung Ha-Yan continued.
“...”
“It’s all about money. Money. These days, if a party needs a mage, they always make us pay up first... Think about it, Yoojin. Have you ever come across a mage who volunteered to go into a dungeon first?
"Aren't mages supposed to be the ones who would love to go in first? There was even a time when mages paid to hire mercenaries,” Carlton chimed in.
“Th-That’s exactly what I mean! Mages who go out to research artifacts, ancient relics, or hidden knowledge... they don’t exist anymore!” Jung Ha-Yan shouted.
Surprisingly, they were getting along pretty well.
“Mages aren’t tools of war! O-Of course I know we’re needed, but the balance now is completely skewed,” Jung Ha-Yan said.
“Well, the majority of them are materialistic,” he commented.
They talked about other topics as well. At first, it seemed like Carlton, Yoojin, and Big Boy were talking more than Jung Ha-Yan, but now, Jung Ha-Yan was the one doing the most talking.
“They don’t even want to spend time researching... The old masters say not to waste time on useless papers... If that’s the case, then what’s the point of the Magic Tower?” Jung Ha-Yan grumbled.
“You’re absolutely right, Miss Jung Ha-Yan!” Carlton shouted.
“Exactly! Exactly!” Yoojin shouted.
‘And these idiots aren’t even drunk.’
Why did it feel like Jung Ha-Yan was the one being entertained here? I watched as Carlton refilled her glass. He even arranged the snacks on a clean plate while exchanging glances with Yoojin.
Clearly, these guys were doing their absolute best to impress her.
“It’s just a training ground for war mages!” Jung Ha-Yan added.
“Exactly!”
“You’re right! You are one hundred percent correct, Miss Jung Ha-Yan!” Yoojin exclaimed in agreement.
“Yes! That’s it!”
They were so natural at it that Jung Ha-Yan seemed like she hadn't noticed anything strange. Unsurprisingly, the short dinner ended up lasting much longer than expected. Even after the sun had set, the drinking session continued for several more hours...
“Ah... I-I should get going now,” Jung Ha-Yan said, signaling the end of the evening. Naturally, Big Boy, Carlton, and Yoojin probably wanted to ask if she could stay overnight, but from Jung Ha-Yan's expression alone, there was no way they could ask.
More importantly...
‘I don’t want to be stuck with these idiots. God, I don’t even want to look at them.’
Right now, spending time with Jung Ha-Yan mattered more than anything.
“Then... see you again,” Big Boy said.
“I’ll come again next time,” I said.
“When’s that?” Big Boy asked.
“Probably soon. Seems like there are regular holidays, too. As long as it’s not exactly like today, it’ll be fine. Please take care of yourself first,” I said.
“Yeah, don’t worry about us. Just do your best,” Big Boy reassured me.
‘I don’t even think about you guys, idiots.’
After a brief farewell hug to Big Boy, Carlton, and Yoojin, I left the Blue Guild with Jung Ha-Yan. She could have used warp magic, but perhaps craving fresh air, Jung Ha-Yan decided to walk. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she was catching her breath with a soft huff, huff.
Naturally, it was the perfect moment to express gratitude.
The courageous me looked a bit shy as I said, “Um... Miss Jung Ha-Yan, thank you.”
This single line of mine broke the awkward silence.
‘Looks like we’re about to become best friends now.’
“I-It was nothing. I’m just glad they’re safe and I enjoyed it too,” Jung Ha-Yan said.
“...”
“You have a nice family,” Jung Ha-Yan said.
“...”
“Are they your real siblings?” Jung Ha-Yan asked.
‘Are you serious right now? Don’t I look totally different from them?’
“No. I-I mean... they’re the people who saved me,” I answered.
“Ah!”
“They’re not family by blood... but they’re like family,” I added.
Jung Ha-Yan could probably understand what I was trying to say.
“Actually... I’ve never really had anyone I could call family. Strictly speaking, it hasn't been that long since we've known each other, but... Big Boy hyung said I shouldn’t let that put me down,” I told her.
Of course, Big Boy never actually said that.
“He said it was a kind of luck because he didn’t have family either,” I said.
And just like that, Big Boy became an orphan.
“Unlike others, people like us can choose our family. That’s why we’re lucky,” I added.
I made this up.
“If someone is precious to you, then they’re family. You just have to think of them as family,” I said.
Still, Jung Ha-Yan would understand it better than anyone.
‘Don’t let it put you down.’
She could choose her family as well. Second Life Ha-Yan had chosen her family as well. Compared to her parents and older sister, who abandoned her, Han Sora and I were her true family, and I considered her family, too.
First Life Ha-Yan was no different. There were people here who valued her.
‘Kim Ah-Young? Grandma Giena?’
“Miss Jung Ha-Yan, do you have someone precious to you?” I asked.
Jung Ha-Yan paused to think.
“...”
“...”
Then, she nodded, looking as if she was in love.
“Yes,” Jung Ha-Yan answered.
‘Did she already get in contact with First Life Ki-Young?’
I thought the timing of their contact was delayed, but apparently not. They probably weren't meeting often, but she was definitely familiar with First Life Ki-young. My assumption could be wrong, but her flushed cheeks told me that she was definitely thinking of First Life Ki-Young.
‘Had she not been in contact recently?’
Could he have been involved in her previous death? It was frustrating, as I had no idea exactly how close they were or how deep their relationship was.
However, one thing was certain—she was getting healthier. It was sudden, but this meeting had to be effective. Seeing the smile on her face, there was no denying that she was enjoying the present.
“...”
“Thank you for the kind words,” Jung Ha-Yan said, smiling beautifully
I thought I managed to comfort First Life Ha-Yan even just a bit, but...
A week later, Jung Ha-Yan hanged herself again.