Chapter 108 : Chapter 108

Chapter 108 - Renewal (2)

“By the way, why did you guys come to Mr. Kim Gyu-sik? Weren't you scared?”

Seo Ah-in asked the chick-like cadets in a voice she had made as friendly as possible.

In total, there were three girls.

“...”

No. Was this really happening?

Did that person generate some kind of magnetic field from his body that attracted the opposite sex?

At this point, shouldn't someone professionally investigate this?

As she was thinking such thoughts, the three girls who heard her question looked at each other.

Red, Green, and Blue, respectively.

I had already heard all their names, but I decided to forget them all.

Because if I added any more, you know. I felt like I would sense a crisis.

“We’ve all been friends since we were little...”

“We all grew up together in the slums. We thought we couldn’t just starve to death like this, so we worked hard together and entered the Boot camp.”

“...”

A heavy story suddenly hit me right from the start.

“So we did get in, but we didn’t have any proper foundation as Climbers or anything. We struggled a lot. We were bullied a lot, and our grades were at the bottom...”

“Yeah, if the three of us weren't together, it would have been really tough.”

“...I-is that so? You must have had a hard time...”

As Seo Ah-in was getting very flustered, Red fidgeted and continued speaking.

“But it’s okay! Because we have a role model!”

“...”

Suddenly, a sense of calm returned to Seo Ah-in's mind.

It was a moment where she became surprisingly cool-headed.

“Climber Kim Gyu-sik graduated from a similar environment as us. Seeing him perform so coolly like that... my heart pounds. I feel a sense of admiration.”

Seeing the three girls chirp, “Mr. Kim Gyu-sik is my hero!”, the smile on her lips somehow felt like it was becoming more mechanical.

I see-, Seo Ah-in played along, and then Blue raised her hand and asked a question.

“Um, is it okay if I ask a question?”

“What is it?”

“What is your relationship with Climber Kim Gyu-sik, Climber Seo Ah-in?”

“...”

Oh. Right.

What was our relationship?

The word... friend... was the most appropriate, but for some reason, it felt strange to admit it as is.

Then what other word was there?

Reflecting on my recent actions, the most appropriate was...

‘...Slave and master?’

Nope. Not this one.

“Just, um. We’re colleagues.”

“S-so you’re not his girlfriend. What a relief!”

...A relief?

Why was it a relief?

Blue, who had made Seo Ah-in freeze with a smiling face, soon let her eyes sparkle again and brought up another topic.

“Then is it okay if I ask a few things?”

“Hm?”

“Things like Climber Kim Gyu-sik’s preferences! We’re all curious!”

“...”

Hmm.

Preferences, huh.

Seo Ah-in began to search her mind diligently.

So, I was sure...

-Mr. Kim Gyu-sik, why are you taking the long way around here? It’s much faster this way.

-That’s a smoking area. I hate the smell of cigarettes.

“...Mr. Kim Gyu-sik likes smokers.”

“Huh...? Really?”

“Yeah. He doesn’t smoke himself, but he likes smokers.”

Seo Ah-in continued without batting an eye, and seeing the chicks diligently writing it down, she gave a refreshing smile.

And also...

-Oh? You don’t eat seafood?

-I have an allergy.

“...He’s absolutely crazy about seafood.”

-I ordered a Hawaiian mint choco pizza, would you like some?

-Go die. Please just go die.

“He prefers his pizza with pineapple and mint choco on it...”

As that conversation continued for a while, a pathetic voice was heard from behind.

“...What on earth are you guys doing?”

“Wow! It’s Climber Kim Gyu-sik!”

As soon as they saw Mr. Kim Gyu-sik appear with various things in his hands, the chicks instantly flocked to him and chattered away.

Hmm, what a shame. With just a little more, I could have completely driven them away.

Seo Ah-in let out a deep sigh and stood up.

“You said the first schedule was to move to the lodging we’ll use for three days, right? Are we heading there now?”

“No. We’re sleeping outside.”

“...Pardon?”

“I said, we’re sleeping outside.”

“...”

So what’s the reason, you crazy man.

Although I grew up coddled in a good family, I knew because I went through the Second Ordeal with this very man. That stage was also a forest.

A night in the forest without any preparation was something no human could endure.

Wasn’t the reason the Bishop of Daeshinjeon was hooked by this man back then because he had suffered immensely?

“It’s not for any particular reason...”

At this, Mr. Kim Gyu-sik began to explain what had happened a little while ago.

***

The rules of the hunting competition were simple.

All sorts of demonic beasts roamed within the forest. Weak ones, strong ones, ones that hide well, and ones that run away well.

In any case, they were recognized with a high score based on how ‘difficult they were to catch.’

If you forfeited midway, you could receive treatment for injuries. If someone on the team’s life was in danger, they were immediately treated and then eliminated.

‘Compared to the Second Ordeal, this is definitely more relaxed...’

At least in the sense that they made sure no serious casualties would occur.

“-The above are the rules that will be followed in the competition. Have you all familiarized yourselves with them?”

As soon as Ms. Seo Hye-in said that, the faces surrounding the table all nodded in unison.

Hmm.

They were all familiar faces.

Most of them were individuals belonging to mid-sized guilds in Korea.

Not on the level of the Hunting Alliance, Jeokpungdae, or Daeshinjeon. But they were veterans who could at least make their voices heard if they all banded together.

Originally, they were the enemies that the main character would meet as they steadily grew. The mid-bosses of side quests, you could say.

In my case, I had just ignored them all and slammed into the main quest to clear it, so I thought I would never see their faces. I didn't know we would meet like this.

“We all understand, but I wonder if it’s possible for one guy here? There’s a guy whose experience is less than half of ours, isn’t there?”

As someone brought that up, boisterous laughter spread out all at once.

Gazes flickered this way, as if the comment was aimed directly at me.

“...The main event has not started yet. Please refrain from provocations.”

At this, Ms. Seo Hye-in shot back at them with a very displeased expression. Judging by her face, it wouldn’t be strange if she drew her sword right now.

Well, this person was here to perform her official duties. Even just that reaction was as good as lending me her support.

I could tell just by the fierce backlash that erupted.

“Ha, really. Can’t I even say anything? I know the Hunting Alliance is coddling that one over there. But if you’re this obvious about it, it’s troublesome for us too, you know?”

“...”

Ms. Seo Hye-in furrowed her brow and glared at the person who had made the remark.

A middle-aged climber wearing leather-padded light armor. His head, so well-shaved it seemed capable of reflecting the sun, was impressive.

His fists were trembling. Well, they were the ones who pulled a stunt on me, so it was only natural for her to be angry seeing them run their mouths like this.

“I don’t know what kind of affair you’re having with a pathetic guy like that to be so inseparable, but wouldn’t it be a little troublesome for the Hunting Alliance if everyone here boycotted? Be reasonable...”

“Yeah. Well said. You be reasonable.”

I cut in with a smirk.

Of course, Ms. Seo Hye-in was being patient, but there was no reason for me to just sit here and listen to this kind of talk.

“You’ve built up all that experience and done nothing with it, and now you’re just pulling rank. Aren’t you ashamed?”

“...Ha, really. Listen to this kid talk. Young man. I think you need to learn some humility.”

“I was taught that humility is something you offer to respectable elders. Not to a condescending old fart.”

The atmosphere grew tense. The other side’s expression contorted at my words, and they gripped their weapons.

At this, Ms. Seo Hye-in shot up from her seat and glared at them.

“Anyone who uses a weapon before the start of the main event will be prohibited from using the lodging. I believe I mentioned that?”

“...Tch.”

The opposing climber clicked his tongue and took his hand off his weapon.

This was a long-term event held for three whole days on an uninhabited island where demonic beasts appeared at random. Even for a fairly skilled climber, starting with absolutely no foundation was no different from suicide.

This was a fact I had personally demonstrated while conquering the 2nd Floor.

“...Then, I hope everyone will depart to their designated locations. Your assigned lodgings are over there.”

As Ms. Seo Hye-in’s words, which seemed to wrap up the meeting, fell, the guys who had stood up with me shot me hostile glares as they passed by one by one.

You won't see anything good, be prepared, I brushed off those lines that were perfect for extras to say while cleaning my ears.

“...You endured well. To be honest, I was on edge.”

“Pardon?”

“Knowing your personality, Mr. Kim Gyu-sik, I thought you would have crushed those rude people in a single bound...”

I could have.

If it weren't for one reason, I would have done so long ago.

“I’ve actually always wanted to try it.”

“Pardon?”

“The charming scenery you feel in a forest, you know, things like that. I've always wanted to try it since I was young.”

Usually, my relationship with forests had a clearly established hell-survival dynamic. The Second Ordeal I had experienced just a short while ago was a case in point.

In that sense, the possibility of survival itself wasn't really a big issue. It wasn't very difficult either.

What was important to me was ‘romance.’

But like this, a hunt like camping in a controlled environment. To me, it was one of the things that made my heart pound with romance. If they even provided lodging and supplies, that much would surely be possible.

For something like that, I could tolerate a cheap provocation like that as much as needed.

“...Um, Mr. Kim Gyu-sik.”

“Yes?”

“That, the list of supplies... have you by any chance checked it?”

I hadn't yet.

Why did she ask?

Listening to Ms. Seo Hye-in’s words, which were condensed with a subtle emotion, I checked the document.

Let's see the facilities included in the lodging.

“...”

“...”

“...This is a bunk bed for two, right? The kind they use in the military?”

“...Yes.”

On top of that, a sleeping bag that looked like it would reek of sweat. A completely crumpled pillow. Crumbling wallpaper and floor.

It was a very familiar environment. It was an iconic place where every man in the Republic of Korea must dedicate a part of his youth; there was no way I wouldn't know it.

It was a lodging so steeped in that atmosphere, the very picture of a military barracks.

Compared to this, let’s look at the survival kit included in the supplies.

A campfire. A tent. Outdoor cooking utensils. They were of much higher quality than what I had used when I entered the Second Ordeal before. It was filled with the vibe of camping.

“...If you’re looking for romance, over there.”

“Ah, yes. I see.”

I replied with a grin.

“Just a moment.”

Not long after, the magnificent scream of someone who had been hit hard on the back of the head by me echoed throughout the forest.

***

“...So, you deliberately attacked another person because you wanted to sleep outside for the romance of it?”

“To be precise, it was the guy who spoke rudely to Ms. Seo Hye-in.”

“I really can’t with you, I can’t, you old man! When on earth are you going to stop your crazy antics-!”

“Hey, ow. Wait a minute. Let a person talk...”

The three chicks looked at each other.

The sounds of Kim Gyu-sik yelping while being slapped on the back and Seo Ah-in huffing as she chased him echoed incessantly.

“...Don’t they somehow seem like a middle-aged married couple?”

“They’re such a good match...”

It was a surprisingly apt observation.

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