“Let’s head back, Hayan.”
“Alright…
Though I wanted to comfort Park Deokgu, now was not the right time. Nothing would get to his head, considering his current state of mind.
Even Jung Hayan, who spent a lot of time with him, looked bummed. I knew she cared about the party members in her own way, but Kim Hyunsung and Park Deokgu were the most important for her. They were the ones we had been with since the start and had taken care of her, who had been a lonely person.
In particular, Park Deokgu had been the one who had beaten up her molester, so he must be the one she was most fond of aside from me.
‘He also played matchmaker…’
We took care in quietly heading back, in case he would hear us. What he had muttered still bothered me up until now.
‘I can do better.’
He was obviously reflecting on what I had told him when I first met him. At first, it had only been to make him take action, but this appeared to be his pillar of support now. I felt embarrassed as I realized this.
Of course, I believed in Park Deokgu. However, the reality shown by the status window was cruel.
‘It’s such bullsh*t for his effort not to count.’
Of course, for some, this may result in a big gift. However, some situations could not be reversed with effort alone. One example would be if the genius level were what Deokgu had been aiming for. When I looked behind me, I could see him mercilessly swinging his sword. And though I looked away, the scene never left my mind.
Of course, I didn’t want his efforts to betray him. However, upon concluding that his growth was really hitting its limit, I didn’t know what to do.
‘He might die.’
This wasn’t the case of abandoning him in the worst-case scenario. Unlike me, whose position was in the rear, his position was on the frontlines. If he fought against something that he wouldn’t be able to handle, Park Deokgu would surely die.
This was proven back when Cha Hee-ra had gone berserk. If she had not been able to distinguish between enemy and allies, Park Deokgu would have died instantly on the first blow.
Considering that our party’s path would be quite difficult in the future, it might be better for Park Deokgu to stay put.
‘My head hurts. Fuck… I still have to change my class…’
Still, I had a lot of things to worry about now, one being my fourth class.
***
“Then, we’ll see you later.”
“Yes. I’ll finish the cleanup.”
“You can do it slowly. Hyejin-ssi.”
“I’ll finish Lindel’s affairs too, so you can go with no worries, Hyunsung-ssi. Kiyoung-ssi, please also have a nice trip with Hayan.”
“See you at Lindel. Jeong-yeon-ssi.”
“Goodbye, Kiyoung-ssi.”
“I will be back soon. Thank you for taking care of the slums, Hee-young.”
“Of course.”
Before leaving for the capital, I was given a short time to say my goodbyes to the party members. However, I could feel someone gazing at me sharply. It was not Cho Hyejin, who had to do all the remaining work, nor Kim Ye-ri who did not feel happy to be apart from Kim Hyunsung. It was Dialugia, who had Tol To-ri in her arms.
Although she was expressionless as usual, I felt like she was not in a good mood, and seeing that she had a dissatisfied expression, I could tell she wasn’t happy about me going to the capital. I said I would only be there for a short time, but nevertheless, she still seemed angry.
She had raised her voice at me when I had returned the night I witnessed Park Deokgu’s breakdown. To her, it felt like I had neglected the family and wandered outside.
‘What is this…’
I knew that if she had her way, she would tie me up. Tol To-ri struggled through his cries, realizing that we would be apart for some time. Naturally, I knew I had to say something. Since Jung Hayan was still busy talking with the other party members, I had some time to talk to her.
“I will be back, Dialugia.”
“…”
“Dialugia, didn’t you hear me?”
“…”
“Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”
“I don’t know why you’ve chosen to report to me. Won’t you be satisfied only by doing everything you want to do, anyway?”
“I want to be with Tol To-ri too, but I don’t have a choice in this situation.”
“Then what is the situation?”
“I gave you a clear explanation last time… I hope you know that these are all efforts to provide a safe nest for both of you.”
“Well, I know what you think. All you talk about is providing a safe nest for us. That’s good. However, the safest nest for Dialuria is one with you in it. As I said, I can’t understand you whenever I think about how important this period is for Dialuria’s growth. Don’t you see Dialuria is also feeling so anxious?”
“Kiek! Kiek! Kiek! Kie-eh-eh!”
‘Tol To-ri… You… Don’t exaggerate, you fool.’
“The human mind is so obvious. Anyway, you were already out of your mind, drinking that night. I think you’ll know better how badly it affects our Dialuria’s education, as well as your health, too. I don’t care whether you hold hands or kiss other women, but you should at least be faithful to Dialuria.”
‘Fuck… she’s scary…’
“I knew well that humans are liars anyway. Nothing but good contractors… A human who has promised not to get a shot of water on his hands throws away his nests easily. In the first place, you lack awareness.”
“Human society is complex. Communication is important, and drinking is indispensable.”
“You always talk like that. ‘It’s complex. Human society is dangerous.’ Could you first explain why you have chosen to leave Dialuria alone in that complex and dangerous society?”
“I’m telling you. It’s because of work.”
“Your job is not to get distracted by drinking, but to protect and love Dialuria.”
“…”
“…”
“Oh, come on, our Tol To-ri!”
I did not know what to reply with, so I naturally switched my focus. I knew very well that none of my explanations would work on Dialugia. For now, it would be best to be kind to Tol To-ri before I left.
“Kiek! Haaa!”
“Oh! Our Tol To-ri, good! Oh, right! Wait for two days. I will come back quickly, okay?”
“Kie-e-e-e-ee-ee-ee-ee-ee!”
“Tol To-ri! Don’t scream!”
“Kie-e-ek…”
“I’ll be coming back soon, so can’t you wait a little bit?”
“Ahhh… Haaa!”
“You must listen carefully to your mother and wait quietly.”
“Heck! Heck!”
“Our Tol To-ri has grown a lot.”
“Kiek!”
“Well done! Well done! Well done!”
“Kiek! Kiek! Kiek!”
As the little guy started to jump again, the dragon’s anger seemed to lessen. With Tol To-ri looking so cute, it would only be natural for her expression to soften. Although she was still in a bad mood, her baby was the best way to melt her frozen heart.
That was when I felt a strange gaze. It was Jung Hayan, whose stare was a stark contrast to everyone else, who had been staring at us with warm gazes.
Of course, it was only then that she realized that the scene Dialugia and I showed was unusual. Dialugia didn’t seem to care very much, but I, who was conscious of Jung Hayan, had no choice but to be concerned about this.
However, most of the female crews just thought that Tol To-ri was cute. In particular, the eyes of Kim Ye-ri, who was seeing Tol To-ri jump for the first time, were shining brightly. Of course, Dialugia, seeing those eyes, hurriedly and warily lifted Tol To-ri.
“C… Cute.”
“You must come back as soon as possible.”
“Okay. Ah. And after arriving at Lindel, the construction of the nest will proceed immediately. You should find a human named Kim Mi-young and tell her what you need.”
“An actual nest?”
“Yes. Actually, I don’t know what a dragon’s nest looks like… I told her to start work immediately after consulting you.”
“Ah…”
“It’s custom-made, so you can choose whatever you want.”
Dialugia’s expression was still full of dissatisfaction, but hearing the news that she would have a new nest seemed to make her feel better. However, this came at the expense of Jung Hayan. It seemed that, after crossing one mountain, I had to cross another one. However, I would be going to the capital with Jung Hayan anyway, so there would be many opportunities to work with her.
Jung Hayan also knew this, so she also looked a little happy. Soon enough, she ran up to me and hugged me a little tightly. At this, my worries shifted to Park Deokgu, who now approached me with a casual expression.
“Well, Hyung-nim, have a good trip!”
“Yes. Please do take care of Dialugia and Dialuria while I am away.”
“Ah…”
“It’s because we share one life. Can you understand what I’m talking about?”
“I think I know.”
“Deokgu.”
“Huh?”
“I believe you. And if I do…”
“I know. I can do better. Are you going to keep saying that? I think it’s going to create a crust on my ear. You don’t have to worry about it, so you can just go.”
“You should get along well with Jeong-yeon.”
“Ahem. It’s not like that with Jeong-yeon, so Hyung-nim should better be nice to Hayan.”
“Cheer up! Deokgu Oppa.”
“Am I not Park Deokgu, who is always full of energy?”
At Park Deokgu’s words, I smiled and stroked Jung Hayan’s hair. I had to pretend that I believed him. While I didn’t know much about him, I still had every right to be bothered because the signals were still noticeable. He had definitely swung his sword all night. He may think that I had not noticed it, but I could smell his sweat just by being near him.
He had changed his clothes, but he didn’t have time to shower.
“Kiyoung-ssi, we should…”
“Ah… Yes, Hyunsung-ssi.”
We got on our respective griffons. Jung Hayan, too, stuck to my back like gum, and I waved my hand towards the people who were still greeting and Tol To-ri, who cried after me. To me, it felt like Park Deokgu had clenched his fist when I ascended to the sky alongside Hyunsung.
Before I disappeared from their sight, I turned around, just in time to see him running off somewhere.
‘Foolish bastard.’
He was the most foolish human I had ever seen.