"Mom..."
I was currently watching over Kim Dokja at her bedside. When I first saw her, I thought she was a strange woman. Then, when she and the other members came to Chungmuro Station, I thought she was a fascinating existence. When I heard her story from the others, I thought she was someone who knew the future. And on the day Sideras brought in the dragon’s corpse, when I heard from the other members, my sponsor, and various Constellations that she had died and come back to life, I thought she was someone who treated her own life carelessly.
Even thinking about it now, that was reckless. I should warn her next time.
I also needed to ask why she had acted that way. And now, I thought of her as someone who cherished her people.
"Mm..."
"You’re sweating."
As I said that, I wiped the sweat from her face with my hand.
Looking at her like this, her face had been blurred out.
Still, she seemed to have quite a pretty face. I shifted my gaze. The Dragon-Slaying Sword was lying there. Not just the Dragon-Slaying Sword, but there were also the pieces of equipment I had made for the group. No, to be exact, they were replica models. Tiny wooden models the size of ballpoint pens. I had told Gilyoung to make these in order to check just how skilled he was with his hands. At this level, the kid had talent. I had taught Gilyoung carving on the second day after he became my disciple. He had practiced since then and reached this level, so he had more talent than I had expected. Stroking the head of Gilyoung, who was crouched beside me, I said,
"You have more talent than I thought."
"Really?"
"Yes."
That was when she woke up.
"Mm...?"
"You’re awake?"
"Yes..."
"Did you find something out?"
"Yes."
"And you were talking in your sleep!"
Apparently noticing that Kim Dokja was awake, Gilyoung suddenly poked his head out beside me.
"Talking in my sleep?"
"Yeah. You said ‘Mom.’"
"Are you worried?"
"..."
Kim Dokja remained silent for a while.
"Oh, did I say something wrong?"
"N-no. More importantly, do you know where Jung Heewon is?"
"If you mean Jung Heewon, she went to the restroom a little while ago. She’s coming back now, actually."
"Hm? Dokja, you’re awake."
"Ah, Heewon, there was something I wanted to tell you."
"Something you wanted to tell me? What is it?"
"I don’t want you to participate in the battle at Gwanghwamun this time."
"?"
...It seemed Kim Dokja’s image had returned to being that of a strange woman.
"..."
"..."
I should take care of Gilyoung and leave for now.
I picked Gilyoung up and headed over to where the other members were.
"Hm? The bear guy’s here. Hehe."
"Why did you come here?"
"Kim Dokja seems to have something to discuss with Jung Heewon in private, so I came over here."
"Is that so?"
"Mm."
As I waited for Kim Dokja and Jung Heewon to finish talking, I examined the wooden carvings Gilyoung had made.
"You used too much force here. You didn’t use enough force on this part."
I gave Gilyoung feedback while looking at his wooden carvings, and Gilyoung wrote down what I said.
"You’re all here?"
It seemed Kim Dokja had finished speaking with Jung Heewon.
"I’ll tell you who’s coming with me from here on out."
"Wait. Before that, where’s Jung Heewon?"
"I sent her on a separate mission. The people coming with me are Kang Cheolung, Yoo Sangah, Lee Seongguk, and Lee Gilyoung."
"Wait, why aren’t Namwoon and I included?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"You two need to guard this place. Hyunsung has low attack power, and Gong Pildu can only defend a limited area, so he can barely move around."
"But!"
"Quiet."
When I told them to be quiet, the two girls shut their mouths.
"Right now, Kim Dokja is our representative. Follow the representative’s judgment."
"Hmph."
"Tch."
"Hngh!"
"All right, all right."
After finishing our preparations, we set out.
"Vice Representative, have a safe trip!"
"Please return safely!"
"Cheolung! Go beat those bastards to a pulp!"
"Cheolung! Make sure you bring back loot when you return!"
Escorted by the other members’ farewells, we headed for Gwanghwamun.
"You’re popular, Yoo Sangah. And they’re all men, too. Did you make a lot of men cry before the world ended?"
"Cheolung, what are you saying?!"
Smack, smack.
As I teased Yoo Sangah, I checked my Trait Window.
Trait Window
Name: Kang Cheolung
Age: 30
Sponsor: Blacksmith of the Volcano
Fables: Dwarf’s Successor (Historical Figure), One Who Made a Weapon to Kill Dragons (Legendary)
Stigma: Heart of a Servant Lv. 2
Description: A core used by the Blacksmith of the Volcano when creating his servants. This heart contains the servant’s thoughts and emotions, and grants absolute loyalty to its master. However, the body is not created automatically and must be made personally. It is bestowed only upon skilled blacksmiths. A Magitech skill is required.
Exclusive Traits: Dwarf-Blooded (Rare), Blacksmith (Normal), Tall Stature (Normal), Poker Face (Normal), Fire Resistance (Rare), Pain Resistance (Rare)
Exclusive Skills: Dwarven Smithing Technique (Rare) Lv. 10, Breath of Fire (Rare) Lv. 2, Dwarven Axe Technique (Rare) Lv. 10, Welding Lv. 10, Butchering Lv. 1, Magitech Lv. 1
Vitality: 20
Strength: 20
Agility: 10
Magic Power: 15
"Raise each stat by 10, 10, 5, and 10."
Vitality: 20 → 30
Strength: 20 → 30
Agility: 10 → 15
Magic Power: 15 → 25
Trait Window
Name: Kang Cheolung
Age: 30
Sponsor: Blacksmith of the Volcano
Fables: Dwarf’s Successor (Historical Figure), One Who Made a Weapon to Kill Dragons (Legendary)
Stigma: Heart of a Servant Lv. 2
Description: A core used by the Blacksmith of the Volcano when creating his servants. This heart contains the servant’s thoughts and emotions, and grants absolute loyalty to its master. However, the body is not created automatically and must be made personally. It is bestowed only upon skilled blacksmiths. A Magitech skill is required.
Exclusive Traits: Dwarf-Blooded (Rare), Blacksmith (Normal), Tall Stature (Normal), Poker Face (Normal), Fire Resistance (Rare), Pain Resistance (Rare)
Exclusive Skills: Dwarven Smithing Technique (Rare) Lv. 10, Breath of Fire (Rare) Lv. 2, Dwarven Axe Technique (Rare) Lv. 10, Welding Lv. 10, Butchering Lv. 1, Magitech Lv. 1
Vitality: 30
Strength: 30
Agility: 15
Magic Power: 25
I was walking while checking my Trait Window when it happened.
"...Dokja, will I be of any help?"
"Yoo Sangah, have you ever seen me bring someone along for no reason?"
"I know, but... I’m not sure whether I’ll be as helpful as Hyunsung or Heewon."
I grabbed Yoo Sangah by the shoulder and spoke.
"There’s no such thing as a useless person in this world. Don’t be so discouraged. Eat this, at least."
"What is this?"
"An apple I picked when I snuck outside earlier without the others knowing. There was an apple tree inside a nearby building, so I picked a few. There wasn’t any poison on them. They were in an enclosed space, after all."
With that, I handed Yoo Sangah the apple. Then messages from the Constellations appeared.
《The Constellations of Greek origin are astonished to see the two of you exchanging an apple.》
《The Constellation "Blacksmith of the Volcano" calls his incarnation a real man.》
《The Constellation "Constellation Who Hates a Party Pooper" reveals their modifier.》
《The Constellation "God of Wine and Ecstasy" says you are a cool guy.》
"??"
《The Constellation "Goddess of Love and Beauty" says that, in Greece, giving someone an apple is a proposal.》
"!"
Seeing that, Lee Seongguk spoke.
"...So this is the Greek version of ‘Want to come over for ramen?’"
Yoo Sangah’s and my thoughts came to a complete stop right there.
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