I felt pleased upon realizing that Kim Hyunsung was, indeed, giving me more importance.
In the first place, I already played a major role in his plans, but it was clear that this incident had managed to surprise even him.
I remembered the question he’d asked me a few days ago, and laughter popped out of me.
‘I said I’m not going anywhere.’
He’d been anxious at the fact that many offers had come my way.
‘I do have some skills.’
Although it was ironic to evaluate myself, in truth, my influence in Blue was by no means small, in terms of both income and diplomacy.
The potions produced at the potion factory of Blue were distributed not only to Lindel but also to Celia and Dawan, thus accumulating our enormous wealth. Even the other businesses promoted by our administrative team were now spreading their wings.
Blue didn’t even have to go on expeditions anymore. We could survive simply by relying on the potion industry. Of course, I haven’t done just that.
I was also the person who completed the triad with the Red Mercenary and the Black Swan, and even the Yozora Guild with Yuno Kasugano, forming the fourth alliance; I was also the Honorary Bishop of the Holy Empire.
Since I maintained friendly relations with the Pope’s side and the influential nobles, it was correct to think that I was already important enough in terms of diplomacy. I had even gotten a position in the Eight Seats and had Dialugia in my possession.
In the extreme, even if I leave the Blue and set up another guild, I would not lack anything.
It was also natural for Kim Hyunsung to feel anxious.
‘Why?’
Because he didn’t have anything left to give me that I would need.
In the beginning, I accepted everything he gave me, but Kim Hyunsung’s and my social status were now almost equal. I felt a little bad for him, but in fact, it was not an exaggeration to say that my position was a little more superior.
This was no longer the old Lee Kiyoung, who felt innocently pleased with a single rare item. We’d aged like high school sweethearts who had become adults as time passed by. The things that these high schoolers once enjoyed, such as small accessories, dates, and having a cup of hot coffee together on rainy days, gradually became dull as they got used to it.
In particular, assuming that the other had already achieved great social success and nothing was lacking, it would be clear that even luxury items might not be able to satisfy me.
It would be natural to think, ‘Will he/she really be happy with this?’
Choosing a gift for someone who had everything was not easy.
It would be natural for Kim Hyunsung, who is not very familiar with human relations, to go through difficulties.
‘What I want is not that, Hyunsung.’
Of course, I was not hoping for an expensive gift or a legendary-grade item. Rather…
“Kiyoung-ssi.”
“Oh, yes.”
‘Yes, I wanted something like this, you bastard.’
He was currently handing me a cup of coffee.
‘That’s the right answer.’
I felt satisfied, and pride-filled.
“Gosh…”
“Did you see them?”
“Are they really…”
“The mood just now is pretty good.”
We were watching the formation of the members we had formed.
“They said this is a coffee from another kingdom. You seem a little tired…”
“Thank you. Actually, I couldn’t sleep yesterday… I think this will help.”
“That’s a good thing.”
Though I wasn’t looking at him, I could feel him glancing at me.
‘I think I know why…’
The main reason was that there were only four men included in this expedition.
Except for Kim Hyunsung, Park Deokgu, Ahn Ki-mo, and I, all the expedition members were women.
‘…’
Wherever one would look, there were women.
Recently, I thought that Jung Hayan and Hwang Jeong-yeon were a little on the warpath, but I had to admit that the cause was here.
Jung Hayan, who would be going with us, looked a little better, yet Hwang Jeong-yeon seemed worried. It was the same for Kim Ye-ri, who had not gotten selected this time. I could still remember the way she looked at Hyunsung when she had not gotten picked.
It was unusual enough for Kim Ye-ri, who rarely changed her expression.
From Kim Hyunsung’s point of view, it was a decision made considering Kim Ye-ri’s safety. There was no need to insert her since the Black Swan already had a high rate of assassins, but Kim Ye-ri’s expression, who had always been included in the first group, was terrible.
‘Well, if she thinks that her beloved Oppa will spend more than a few weeks in an environment like this…’
Even I would feel worried.
“Did you bring pads?”
“Yes, Eunni. I’ve got the ones that came out as supplies.”
“I don’t want it to come during the expedition… It feels uncomfortable and annoying to move.”
“I know, right. There won’t be any medicine. Why won’t someone develop magic for this?”
“Wouldn’t this be solved with alchemy?”
They were obviously saying this because I was within hearing range.
‘Do usually women talk like that?’
It was not something I could tell, but one thing was certain: the women who grew up as adventurers on this continent were almost 180 degrees different from the women on Earth.
They were freer with things related to sexuality, and they were more independent.
Their physical ability was already almost the same as that of a man, so they became a little easy-going, and they didn’t care much about what others thought of them.
As if they didn’t care whether I saw it or not, I could see the members sitting on a chair and changing armor like stockings.
It was no wonder that the beautiful legs attracted attention.
I felt Jung Hayan grabbing my sleeve.
‘It’s not like that, Hayan. This can’t be helped. It’s like inertia.’
Most of the assassins and archers were wearing armor with lots of exposure.
Of course, if that were the end, Kim Ye-ri and Hwang Jeong-yeon would not have sent such anxious expressions. What was more dangerous than those defenseless people was the group that was conscious of me.
‘It’s not bad, though.’
To put it plainly, the four men here were not bad candidates to be husbands if I were to think about this continent as a standard.
Kim Hyunsung, who had a model-like proportion and a celebrity-like face in the first place, made the impossible possible in a year.
I was not handsome, but I was also forming my own group of unwelcome enthusiasts.
Park Deokgu, who had a large body with bursting muscles, was certainly in demand.
And, though Ahn Ki-mo didn’t seem to have any distinct characteristics, he had a face with all the basics as much as he once wanted to become an actor.
What was important is that we were those with a guaranteed social status and future.
Not only did we possess force, which was considered the most important factor in the continent, but we were also the executives of the emerging venture companies, so I understood the desire to look good to us.
‘Because everyone is old…’
Of course, age was a factor that didn’t matter at all, but since they were in their late 20s or early 30s, I felt like they had to have a desire to get into a good relationship.
Usually, players who reached that level had high standards.
Strangely, the most popular was surprisingly Park Deokgu.
‘Park Deokgu, king of harem…’
Seeing that women surrounded him after saying goodbye to Hwang Jeong-yeon, I almost felt a little bit jealous. It seemed as if he didn’t care much about Hwang Jeong-yeon’s expression, who was biting her lips.
“Can I hang onto your arm once?”
“I don’t mind, but… Ahem…”
“Look at your body. It’s all muscle.”
“You’re really tall.”
“I grew up like this because I ate well and slept well.”
Park Deokgu truly looked like the Gangwon-do’s dating expert.
Kim Hyunsung was the one who their Guild Master, Park Yeon-joo, had eyes on, so they would think it was better not to approach, and I also had a relationship with the Mercenary Queen, so it would not be easy to approach me.
Of course, the biggest cause was Jung Hayan, who was holding my sleeve tightly and glaring everywhere, but since I was also a man, I got a bit jealous of Park Deokgu.
Contrary to the expressions of those who remained, the atmosphere of those who left the expedition is not bad. If only one more person joined, the composition of this expedition would be completed perfectly.
I saw the one that we all were waiting for, walking this way slowly.
“Ke-e-e-e-ee!”
It’s obvious as to who it was.
It was Dialugia, acting as a special bodyguard.
‘I told you not to bring him…’
Apparently, there was also the lovely Tol To-ri, who I ordered not to bring along.
‘I have to be firm…’
Dialugia’s feelings were also understandable, but… I was sure it would be worse to say goodbye here.
Whatever she was feeling, the expedition waiting for the departure was already busy.
“Ah… You have arrived. I think we can just say our goodbyes and leave.”
“Yes.”
“Kiyeeek… Kie-ee-eek…”
“Everyone, prepare for departure.”
“Yes, Guild Master.”
“Jihye has all the supplies, right?”
“Yes, Eunni.”
“Please take care of the guild.”
“Don’t worry, just have a good trip.”
Black Swan Guild Master Park Yeon-joo was now saying goodbye to Lee Jihye.
“Kiiyiing… Kie-ee-eek!”
“Then I’ll be going. Jeong-yeon-ssi. Take care of the rest. The training of newcomers…”
“Yes. Leave it to me, Hyunsung-ssi.”
“Yes. Thank you again.”
“No problem.”
“I’ll be back soon, Ye-ri. Hyejin-ssi, prepare for departure.”
“Yes, Guild Master.”
Kim Hyunsung was not only saying goodbye to Hwang Jeong-yeon, who would be in charge of the guild while we are away, but was also comforting Kim Ye-ri.
He was seen eventually exiting the door with Cho Hyejin.
It was time for Jung Hayan, who was on the lookout, to leave, so it took a long time to say goodbye to the remaining personnel.
“Kiyiing… Kiyiing. Kie-ee-ee-eek!”
However, I could not fit into that group’s category. This was because I had to be in a grand separation ceremony with Tol To-ri.
“Kiyiing… Kiyiiing…”
“You have to be quiet, Dialuria. Your mom is… Mom is…”
“Kie-e-ek…”
“It won’t take long. In the meantime, my friends will be with you. It won’t be in the nest, so it’ll be a little uncomfortable, but you won’t get bored because there are many things to play with.”
“Kiyiiing…”
“I’m so sorry for leaving it like this. My baby…”
“Ke-e-e-e-ee!”
“Tol To-ri, Dad and Mom have something important to do for a while, so we have to go out. You can hang in there, right?”
“Kiyiing… Kieeeeeek! Kee-eh-eh-eh-eh!”
My heart aches to see tears dripping from his big eyeballs. Of course, I knew Dialugia would feel even worse than I did.
“Dialuria, if you cry, it makes it hard for your mother to go…”
“Kiyiiing…”
“Dialugia, I think we have to leave now. Everyone is waiting…”
“Wait a minute… Let me hug you one last time, baby…”
The way the mother and son were mourning together looked beautiful. However, the expedition was already ready for departure.
It would get embarrassing to keep dragging time here. It was best to end this time with one last hug.
“Dialuria…”
It was then that Tol To-ri passed by Dialugia with his arms open.
“Kie-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-eok! Haaa! Kiying!”
However, Tol To-ri ran right past her, jumping into my arms in an instant.
“Dia—luria?”
“Ke-e-e-e-eel! Kiyiing… Haaaa… Kiyiing!”
He seemed pitiful as he whined, his face buried in my chest.
“Kiiyiing… Kiek. Kie-ee-ek!”
He continued screaming as he glared at the rest of the expedition.
“Kueeek! Kie-eh-eh-eh-ek!”
“You can be calm, right Tol To-ri?”
“Kiyiing… Kiyiing…”
“After this finishes, I will play with you all week. Until then, you have to be patient.”
“Kiyiing… Kiek…”
Dialugia looked at Tol To-ri, who was busy licking my face, with an expression of devastation on her face.
“Di… a… luria?”
Anyone could see that she felt betrayed.