In the kind of political tactic Yura was trying to employ, understanding the situation around you was paramount. This meant that the opinions of those who had the right to vote were important.
As this was a fight for the public’s approval, now was hardly a good time to go against her.
Unlike Jung Y-ra, who had already established a firm standing as both an experienced member and explorer, I was still just a newbie party member who hadn’t proved anything yet. Although the Red Mercenary people regarded me highly, they would not risk extending their hand out so far to help me.
Therefore, I had a new top priority. I had to establish my standing within this party to prove to everyone that I, along with the rest of my party members, were not useless like they thought.
“I’m really sorry,” I started, bowing slightly.
The first thing to do in a situation like this was to apologize. Much of the group members’ attention was on me now. I continued speaking.
“I know anything unexpected can happen in an expedition, which is why I understand your anxiety. We also understand that you already have yourselves to focus on, and you can’t do the same for our party. However, please give us one more chance to prove ourselves.”
“But this is…”
“I know you are concerned for our well-being. Please, just give us one more shot. We won’t let you down.” I was careful to keep my tone sincere. This was the best way to get the hearts of my audience.
As expected, many of my fellow group members nodded and showed preference to my words. They respected my choice to prove the usefulness of my party once more.
Jung Yura, too, looked a little embarrassed, and the expression on her face was as clear as day.
“I’m sorry.” Even Park Deokgu had begun to bow his head in apology, adding Jung Yura’s embarrassment even more.
I didn’t think he should apologize. He had just stumbled by accident, and it was his first time. Since it was our blunder, we would be the ones to die first, and they could still have the time to escape.
However, I knew this kind of reasoning would not work well with the others, so humility was the best option we could take. Jung Yura began to speak.
“Dungeon strategy is not a joke. Actually, I wouldn’t say I like giving second chances in dangerous situations like these, but… I guess I can give you another chance.”
“Thank you.” With this, I lowered my head even further. Park Deokgu seemed both moved and sorry with my initiative to step in for him.
“Hyung… I really have nothing to say except sorry.”
“No, it’s fine, Deokgu. Anyone can make mistakes. Don’t be scared. Try again. You’ll be able to do it successfully the next time.”
I neglected to say that Jung Yura would have gained the upper hand if something did happen during his blunder. If we so much as had a casualty on our hands, the fault would lie entirely on our guild party and our guild party alone. An apology would not work in that kind of situation.
However, since nothing bad had happened, the entire group found our blunder easily forgivable. No one suffered any major injuries, and we could still repel the first wave of monsters. On the contrary, most of the other people had begun to approach a gloomy Park Deokgu to offer comfort words.
‘Everyone here knows what it’s like to be a beginner, so they must be sympathetic.’
Everyone had been a newbie at one point. It was a normal occurrence to make mistakes if one was inexperienced. This was especially true for a new tanker like Park Deokgu, whose role garnered the most pressure. He needed to stay in front, soak the damage, and ensure protection to his allies. Failure to do so might result in the death of a team member.
Thus, it was not unreasonable to think that the pressure might hinder his effectiveness.
“It is important to prevent attacks, but it would be better to think of deflecting them, juniors.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Anytime, anywhere, just remember, huh? It’s important to hold on to your lower body.”
“Okay, senior… I’ll remember.”
“It’s okay, I understand. When dealing with such large beasts, it’s normal to mess up when you feel scared. I don’t blame you.”
“Ah…”
“Actually, my friend here first encountered a medium-sized monster when he was new and got so scared that he couldn’t move.”
“Hey, didn’t I tell you to keep that a secret?!”
Choi Young-ki ignored his party member. “Actually, it’s proof that you’ve come a long way, junior. You needn’t be so gloomy. Instead of standing still, instinct drove you to stand in front. Even if you feel pressured, you must remember you are not alone. Your party members won’t be weak, either. It is important to trust your colleagues behind you and hold on to the end. If you have that kind of mindset, you can do anything.”
“Thank you, senior…”
“Be strong.”
“You shouldn’t move so quickly next time, however.”
Seeing that our so-called seniors had known each other beforehand had worried me. I thought they would shut us out and disregard our potentials, seeing as we were still inexperienced.
This was why seeing Park Deokgu being comforted by everyone made me feel happy.
I didn’t want to join the crowd as I was not in the mood for socializing, but it was heartwarming to watch from a distance. If I were in their shoes, I would have reacted differently.
‘This kind of softness can lead to their downfall, however…’
I didn’t ponder too much on the thought. Seeing Park Deokgu with such a bright smile made me smile in return. He looked adorable.
“Hyung!���
“Deokgu. Come here and give this to them.”
“Huh?”
“This is a health potion. It would be better to use it here than sell it on the market. I have to give a reward somehow.”
“Ah. That’s right! Thank you, hyung!”
Park Deokgu accepted the potion and ran back to offer some to the other members. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling wryly at the scene.
He had to be a bit more serious when it came to this gathering. That alone would prove to be advantageous for our party.
Kim Hyunsung was also cheering for Park Deokgu.
“This was given by my hyung!”
“Thank you for this, Kiyoung!”
“At first glance, this potion… Have you ever seen anything like this on the market?”
“No, I’ve never seen this type of potion before. It seems like the Blue Guild’s money wasn’t wasted on hiring an alchemist like him.”
Of course, it was also crucial for me to raise my popularity and reliability levels with these people in one way or another. While we moved, the bigger guys started to teach Park Deokgu the proper stances, and even after the next wave of monsters came, no other accident occurred.
It was all about holding the center and supporting his back so he wouldn’t fall, but he was getting used to dealing with monsters. All in all, they looked like a group of brothers supporting each other on the front lines.
Of course, I couldn’t say that we made no more mistakes after that. However embarrassed she was, Jung Yura was still on the lookout for anything else she could criticize.
Of course, she didn’t dare talk as openly as she did the first time. She would sigh as if she disliked the fact that she couldn’t find anything else to prey on now and then.
However, no one sympathized with how she felt. The rest of us were all getting along quite well.
“Because of the large number of people, our formation seems a little too complicated. I’m glad we were able to organize ourselves efficiently.”
“Hahaha. Still, isn’t it going well so far?”
“I apologize, but I feel like we can do better. It feels like something is hindering us.”
“I think it’s because we’re not the perfect party. If it were an expedition for one guild only, it would have been easier to work together as we all know each other. However, we’re all from different guilds. I think we’ve been working quite well considering our slight handicap.”
“Yeah, I agree. I just feel like we could improve, even more, you know?”
“I suppose so… Should we take a break for now?”
“Yes, sure.”
Upon hearing this kind of approval, I stepped out of my party and approached Choi Young-ki. I had meant to converse with him right from the start, and now that we had chosen to take up camp for the time being, I felt like now was a perfect time.
“Choi Young-ki.”
“Ah! Kiyoung!”
His natural, friendly expression comforted me. He was part of Cha Hee-ra’s army, after all, and I was her assigned gigolo. He definitely wouldn’t have any plans to harm me.
“May I?”
“No, no, no. Please sit here.”
“How is Cha Hee-ra?”
“Hahaha, I knew you’d feel curious enough to ask sooner or later.”
Jung Hayan was still being talked to by the Magic Guild, so I knew I’d be undisturbed for the time being.
“My master has asked me to take care of you, Mr. Kiyoung.”
“Ah.”
“Because of that, I apologize if I was not able to stand up for you earlier.”
“No, I understand! I was able to smooth things out. Anyway, if you did try, the other guilds would start to feel suspicious.”
“Ah. That…”
Choi Young-ki probably knew who I was talking about already, from the way he subtly glanced at Jung Yura.
“I still feel sorry, though. I should have paid more attention to…”
“No, no. Our party made a mistake. I’m actually grateful to all of you for being so considerate. Thank you for saving us earlier.”
“Well, making mistakes is normal as a newbie, but people shouldn’t beat you up for it. When I was in your place, Mr. Kiyoung, I was a spoiled boy that didn’t know anything. I was able to grow this much because our master took care of me.”
“Hahaha.”
“I heard that you had been my master’s lover back on Earth.”
‘What…’
I found myself too mortified even to say anything.
“My master said she received help when she needed it the most. She also said that you, Lee Kiyoung, were the benefactor.”
I blinked. This was a new development to the rumor.
“Um, yes, I certainly remember…”
“If you are my master’s benefactor, then you are also my benefactor. Without her help, I would not be where I am today.”
I hadn’t expected Cha Hee-ra to devise such a story.
‘Thank you, Cha Hee-ra.’
I wanted to applaud Cha Hee-ra for coming up with such a passionate backstory.
I subtly looked behind me to make sure Jung Hayan wasn’t eavesdropping and was relieved to see that she was too far away to hear anything substantial.
“You don’t have to take the story so seriously, you know.”
Only
“Hahaha, well, I still want to help. In fact, I’d be willing to save your life for as many times as needed.”
‘What is this bullsh*t…’
I didn’t know where he was getting such cheesy, passionate lines, and I didn’t want to find out. However, what was important to note was that this guy, Choi Young-ki, liked me. The fact that he was the de facto leader of this entire group just made things even better.
I thought he was simply nice to me, but it turned out that there was a deeper intention behind his friendliness.
Seeing that this was the type of welcoming I would receive from their guild, their party would be like my garden for this expedition’s duration. They would be a solid foundation that would surely side with my party with whatever conflicts would rain down on the future group.
I looked up, sensing a pair of eyes on me. Jung Yura was looking this way, dissatisfaction clear as day on her face. When she saw me looking back at her, she turned away without a word.
I smiled. I wanted to tell her that her tactics wouldn’t work on me.
‘She should just focus on genuinely wanting to protect these people’s lives.’