Chapter 46

After hearing Yoo Ju’s proposal, the Hwashin Clan members started discussing among themselves again. It seems that since our party has been quite active, they can’t just ignore Yoo Ju’s words.

Over there, it seems they’re also quite tempted by the necklace, so the discussion isn’t ending easily.

‘Well, it’s a necklace that boosts magic stats, so it’s hard to just give it up.’

In this continent, equipment that boosts magic stats holds more value than other stats.

Magic stats are essential for everyone, whether they’re close-combat fighters or mages.

While they were discussing, Yoo Ju approached me with a question.

“Um… Yoon Seong.”

“Yes, go ahead, Yoo Ju.”

“Can I ask why you requested the Shadow Cube? It’s the first time I’ve seen you ask for something…”

‘…Did I upset her by acting on my own?’

Even if it’s Yoo Ju, she might feel uncomfortable with me acting independently. After all, she’s the party leader.

Strictly speaking, it was my mistake to demand results from the other side without consulting the party members.

“I’m sorry… I think I acted too hastily. I should’ve discussed it with the party members…”

“No, no! That’s not what I meant…!”

Yoo Ju looked at me with an expression like she couldn’t find the right words, as if she found me frustrating.

“Sigh… I’m not scolding you, Yoon Seong. I was just curious.”

“Ah… well… I’m planning to conduct an experiment soon, and I thought the Shadow Cube would be essential for it.”

“Hmm… I see.”

“……”

Yoo Ju nodded and then started speaking again.

“Ah! And I have another question!”

“…?”

“How on earth did you come up with the idea to eliminate shadows? I was really surprised! Isn’t that just amazing?”

Yoo Ju looked at me with sparkling eyes.

‘Damn… this is so overwhelming.’

Everyone was hyping me up for something that wasn’t that hard to figure out, and it felt really burdensome.

“Well… do you know about the lights in operating rooms on Earth?”

“Operating room lights?”

“Yes. When doctors perform surgeries, there’s a device called a shadowless lamp that shines light from multiple directions to prevent shadows on the operating area.”

“Uh…”

Yoo Ju seemed at a loss for words as the explanation got more complicated. I found her reaction amusing and continued.

“Anyway, just think of it as using the principle of the shadowless lamp.”

“Wow… that’s amazing. What do they call that again? On Earth… ah, right!”

“…?”

“Brainy hottie!”

“…Brainy hottie?”

“You don’t know? It’s a term for a man with a sexy brain.”

‘What the hell is that…?’

It was the first time I’d heard that term. When I was on Earth, I was too busy and the situation wasn’t great, so I don’t remember hearing such a word.

“Yoon Seong, you’re totally a brainy hottie! Hehe…”

‘Am I supposed to take this as a compliment?’

“…Thank you, Yoo Ju. Haha…”

It seemed the Hwashin Clan had finished their discussion, as Kim Myung-jun approached and started explaining.

“…How about this? We’ll distribute as Yoo Ju suggested, but we’ll take 80% of the gold instead of 70%.”

Kim Myung-jun’s words implied they’d compromise on the items but wanted more gold. That seemed acceptable.

“Sounds good. What do you think, Yoon Seong?”

“I’m fine with it.”

Our party members also seemed satisfied with the distribution, so we decided to proceed.

I felt a strange sense of satisfaction as I received the Shadow Cube.

‘…If this succeeds.’

I don’t know if the experiment will succeed or fail. But if it does, I’ll be ahead of everyone in terms of information warfare.

“Alright, now let’s talk about the necklace.”

As Yoo Ju asked for the party members’ opinions, Hyeon-jin immediately raised his hand and spoke up.

“I think Yoon Seong should get it this time!”

“No… wait…”

“I also think Oppa should get it.”

Before I could stop Hyeon-jin, Ha-eun also voiced her opinion.

“Wait, wait. I already got the Shadow Cube. I think Ha-eun should get it.”

“Oppa… you gave up the necklace last time too. Just take it this time.”

“No, I’ve already received my share. You should take it, Ha-eun.”

As the decision on the necklace distribution dragged on, Yoo Ju clapped her hands and addressed everyone.

“Alright! Since we can’t decide, let’s do this. We’ll vote. As the party leader, I’ll keep my eyes open, and everyone else close their eyes and point to the person they think should get the necklace.”

‘This… is insane!’

These devious people started scheming since I didn’t want to take it.

“Alright, close your eyes!”

‘Damn…’

As everyone closed their eyes, I had no choice but to do the same.

“Now, everyone point.”

“…….”

After about 10 seconds, Yoo Ju spoke again.

“You can all open your eyes now.”

‘Sigh…’

The result was obvious.

“The result is Yoon Seong. Alright, Yoon Seong, just quietly accept the necklace. Got it?”

Everyone was looking at me with satisfied expressions. I resigned myself and accepted the necklace from Yoo Ju.

“…Thank you.”

Practically, aside from the gold, all the rewards our party received went to me.

‘Damn it…’

Even if I equip this necklace, my magic stat is only 23.

‘This is why I didn’t want to take it…’

******

As we were cleaning up and leaving the dungeon, I could feel Kim Myung-jun glancing at us.

‘…What’s up with this guy now?’

I was seriously considering whether I needed to put him in his place again when Kim Myung-jun started approaching us.

“Hey…”

Kim Myung-jun wasn’t addressing me but Yoo Ju.

‘…What’s this about?’

Yoo Ju also seemed surprised that Kim Myung-jun was speaking to her.



He seemed completely caught off guard, as if he hadn’t even considered the possibility.

“…. Huh?”

“Uh…”

As Kim Myung-jun hesitated, Seo Yoo-ju frowned and asked him.

“… What’s going on?”

She must really dislike Kim Myung-jun. Well, seeing how he’s been acting toward me, it’s no wonder she’s not giving him a warm look.

Kim Myung-jun, blushing as if he were making the confession of a lifetime, opened his mouth to Seo Yoo-ju.

“W-would you like to have a meal with me later, Yoo-ju?”

“…….”

“Pfft!”

I couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

‘Crazy…! What a guy! Wow, seriously… this is…’

I glanced at Seo Yoo-ju’s face, and her expression was absolutely rotten. This was the first time I’d seen her make that face since we’ve been traveling together, so that says it all.

‘Crazy! Crazy! This is a big event! Seriously…!’

It was a rare sight you couldn’t even pay to see.

Our party members were also staring, wondering what kind of nonsense this was.

When Seo Yoo-ju didn’t respond, Kim Myung-jun continued.

“I-I fell for you after seeing you fight, Yoo-ju! You’re so… beautiful… and strong…”

‘Dude, stop. Please!’

Why is it that the embarrassment isn’t for the person speaking but for the one listening?

Listening to this, I wanted to hide in a mouse hole. But deep down, I was happily munching on popcorn, so honestly, I didn’t want him to stop.

“There’s… a restaurant I know where I’m really good at cooking. If you’re okay with it, maybe we could have a meal there later…”

Kang I-seo, who had been disgusted by Kim Myung-jun, was now looking at him with pity.

Who would’ve thought the guy I thought had anger management issues was actually the most romantic guy around?

“…… Shut… no, I don’t want to.”

At Seo Yoo-ju’s icy rejection, Kim Myung-jun froze in place, unable to move.

‘Myung-jun, what are you doing…? Planning to live in the dungeon? We gotta go, what are we supposed to do if you stay here, man…’

People were already moving out of the dungeon, but Kim Myung-jun stayed rooted to the spot for a while.

******

After that little incident, once everyone was out of the dungeon, we started saying our goodbyes to the Hwashin Clan members.

“It was really fun being able to tackle the dungeon with the Eternity Clan members, Lee Jae-hyo.”

“No, it was our pleasure to be able to work with the Hwashin Clan members, Darim.”

“No, no. I’d like to bless the bright future of the Eternity Clan. Everyone is so outstanding…”

“Hahaha, you’re too kind. The Hwashin Clan members were also amazing.”

Lee Jae-hyo’s face lit up like a blooming flower, clearly happy that our party was being praised.

“Thank you so much for saying that. I hope we get the chance to work together again. Well then…”

“Yes. I’ll also look forward to working together again next time. Let’s head in, we’ll be going now…”

And so, we all started heading back to our respective Clan Houses.

‘Oh man… Myung-jun…’

Our romantic guy Myung-jun seemed to have lost his soul, as clan members were dragging him away by both arms. His legs were dragging on the ground, and it was a sight to behold.

‘Myung-jun, hang in there.’

******

After camping for a night, we finally arrived back at the Clan House.

Hyeon-jin, perhaps moved by the fact that we had returned from our first expedition, stretched out his arms and shouted.

“We’re finally baaaack!”

Everyone cheered and started heading into the Clan House. Lee Jae-hyo watched us with a satisfied smile from behind.

Seo Yoo-ju’s voice came from beside me.

“Yoon Seong, what are you going to do now?”

There was still time left before evening. Since we had camped and arrived, there was plenty of time left before the day ended.

“Ah… I’m thinking of going to the library.”

“The library?”

As far as I knew, there was a library in Runde. I planned to visit to expand my knowledge about this world and find materials for experiments.

“Yes. I want to find some materials that might help with my experiments…”

“Ah, I see.”

Feeling mischievous, I grinned and opened my mouth.

“By the way, Yoo-ju, what are you planning to do? Heh… since you got confessed to by Myung-jun, maybe you should check out that restaurant…”

I had just wanted to tease her, thinking about all the times I’d been teased, but her reaction was different from what I expected.

“W-what?! No..! No, Yoon Seong! I have no intention of meeting that guy! Don’t get the wrong idea…!”

‘What, what’s this?’

Taking a variety show moment as a documentary was too much. Her reaction was so intense that I didn’t know how to respond, and as I was flustered, she continued.

“You’re not misunderstanding, are you?! I have no relationship with that guy! In fact, I dislike him!”

“Ah, no, wait, hold on, Yoo-ju!”

“Please…!”

“Wait a second! I’m not misunderstanding! What are you even saying?”

“Huh, huh?”

“It was just a joke. I was teasing you.”

“Ah…?”

Finally realizing she had overreacted, her face turned bright red, and she started yelling at me.

“What kind of joke is that?!”

“Well… it was just a normal joke…”

“W-what’s normal about that?! Don’t say things like that again! Ugh, seriously…!”

Seo Yoo-ju finished her piece and stomped off toward the dorm.

“… What the…”