Chapter 52

As we continued deeper into the forest, Song Ha-eun started acting strange.

“Huh, huh?!”

“What’s wrong?”

“O-oppa, wait a second. The spirit…”

“What? What’s the problem? Ha-eun?”

“The spirit… it refuses to move forward.”

“…It refuses to move forward?”

At the spirit’s refusal to go any further, everyone wore uneasy expressions.

‘Even if it’s a low-grade spirit… it’s refusing? Is there something ahead?’

If even a low-grade spirit refuses to enter deeper into the forest, it means this request isn’t as easy as we thought.

“…Yoo Ju, what should we do?”

“…Let’s move forward a bit more. Even if we don’t solve the situation, we need to find the cause to face the client.”

The most ideal choice. With the difficulty of the request suddenly spiking, finding the cause and ending the request seemed like the best option.

Following Yoo Ju’s decision, we moved forward and came across a cave.

“This… I’m not entirely sure, but it might be a dungeon.”

“Y-Yoo Ju… what now…”

It looked like an ordinary cave, but we had no intention of entering. The air around it felt heavy and ominous.

‘Entering this place with our current team… is suicidal. Even with Yoo Ju here…’

Unless Yoo Ju knew how to clear this dungeon, she seemed clueless about this request from the start.

“…We’ve found the cause, so let’s head back to the mansion.”

Luckily, it seemed we decided to turn back.

******

After camping overnight, we finally arrived at the mansion the next morning.

When we reported to the young lady, her eyes widened at the mention of a dungeon.

“A… a dungeon?”

“Yes. Deep in the forest to the northwest, we found a cave that seems to be a dungeon. I think the undead might be appearing because of it.”

“A dungeon… are you sure?”

“…I can’t be certain, but it’s likely a dungeon. It didn’t feel like an ordinary cave. We marked the path on our way back, so it should be easy to find.”

“Then… what about clearing the dungeon?”

This time, instead of Yoo Ju, I spoke to the young lady. It seemed more effective coming from me.

“I’m sorry, but clearing the dungeon might be beyond our capabilities. It doesn’t seem like a dungeon we can handle.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Based on the low-grade spirit’s strong refusal, I suspect it might be a hero-grade dungeon.”

Of course, there’s no confirmation. But considering the spirit didn’t react this way during the rare-grade dungeon last time, and Yoo Ju hesitated to enter, it’s likely a hero-grade dungeon.

“…Alright. But it’ll take some time to fully assess the situation, so please stay here for now.”

This time, Yoo Ju asked.

“So…?”

“Take a week off. The mansion staff will provide everything you need.”

“…Understood. Then…”

Since they needed time to assess the situation, Yoo Ju accepted the young lady’s offer.

‘Well… a week off at the mansion isn’t so bad.’

After leaving the young lady’s office, Hyeon-jin spoke up.

“So… what are you all going to do?”

“Ugh… I’m gonna rest. What about you?”

“Hmm… There’s a training ground here, right? Maybe I’ll ask to use it.”

“Wow… training here too? You’re something else.”

“Better than being lazy, right?”

“True. Ugh, fine~ Maybe I’ll train too.”

“That’s better than just resting.”

“Hey, did you work out on Earth? Why do you like moving so much?”

“Uh… no? Just some light jogging…”

“Really?”

“Bro, what about you?”

“Ah… I’ll head out to the city to check out the atmosphere.”

“The city’s atmosphere?”

“Yeah. I want to see what it’s like here. I’ve been out a few times, but never really looked around.”

With the dungeon discovered, it was necessary to check out the city’s atmosphere.

******

‘…It’s way too peaceful.’

After checking out the city, it was surprisingly peaceful for a place near a dungeon. People were smiling, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

‘Well… if there were issues, Yoo Ju would know.’

If something big were about to happen in this city, Yoo Ju, as a Returner, would know.

Even if she was busy during her first run, she wouldn’t forget something major happening in a city.

‘So maybe that dungeon isn’t a big deal?’

Considering only ghouls came out of the forest despite the dungeon nearby, it’s a plausible guess.

Anyway… to sum it up, the atmosphere inside the dungeon and outside are completely different.

And another thought crossed my mind about Charis.

‘If… that maid is involved in this, there should be some reaction tonight.’

With the dungeon discovered, she must have heard the news. If she’s connected to the dungeon, she’ll definitely react.

‘…I hope the chimera brings back something important when it returns.’

Just as I was thinking about the maid, she unexpectedly came into view.

‘…Why is she outside the mansion?’

A man who looked like a noble’s son was talking to her.

“Charis. Come on, let’s talk.”

“No, I don’t want to. If you keep this up…”

It looked like a situation I didn’t want to get involved in, so I tried to leave quickly.

“Ah… ah! Hey! Wait a second!”

‘Damn it.’

Ignoring the call, I quickened my pace to get away. I was alone, and getting tangled in a troublesome situation would be exhausting.

‘What the…! Why is she following me?’

I started running, but her stats were way better than mine, so she caught up quickly.

“Why are you following…?”

“Hey…! Why are you running away?”

‘Do you really not know why?’

Charis arrived, and the noble’s son was panting as he followed.

“Huff… huff… Charis! Where are you going…”





“Huh?”

The man noticed me and stared at me like, “What the hell is this guy?”

“Who are you?”

‘Sigh… crazy…’

“…It’s nothing. I’ll just…”

Thud.

“Why are you running away?!”

‘Why is this crazy woman acting like this, damn it!’

“Haha… Maid Charis? Could you let go of my arm, please…?”

She started mouthing words to communicate with me.

H . E . L . P . M . E

‘Help my ass.’

“Haha… You two have a nice chat. I’ll be on my way now.”

“No, I asked you! Who are you? Do you know Charis?”

‘Crazy bastard…’

“Ah… This person is… someone who came to our mansion for a brief request.”

“A request… So, a foreigner?”

“Yes. And…”

Suddenly, she grabbed my arm and spouted nonsense.

“I like this person. So, please leave.”

‘What the…’

“Ch-Charis… what did you say?”

Ignoring the man’s reaction as if he misheard, I almost reflexively cursed at her ridiculous statement.

“What the hell are you…”

“Charis…! What are you saying? You like this foreigner?”

“Crazy… No, that’s not it. This maid is saying strange things…”

“Oppa, is this how it is?! Are you abandoning me now?!”

‘Damn it, stop acting all of a sudden.’

“Who the hell are you to be with Charis…?!”

‘Stupid bastard! A fool who can’t even tell a poisoned chalice… damn it!’

I checked the man’s status window, just in case he was as crazy as this woman, but thankfully, he was just a normal person. Probably the eldest son of a nearby noble family, as I guessed earlier.

Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, I was on the verge of losing my temper, and my words came out harshly.

“Sigh… Why are you speaking informally to me?”

“What?”

“I said, why are you speaking informally?”

“You… do you know who I am?”

‘Who the hell do you think you are?’

As far as I know, foreigners are neither nobles nor commoners under continental law. In other words, there’s no reason for me to be spoken to informally by that guy.

Of course, it’s true that ordinary foreigners are weaker compared to noble families.

‘But it’s different for members of a large clan.’

In this world, even the indigenous people can’t ignore the power of large clans. That is, members of large clans are treated as quasi-nobles, even if they’re not actual nobles.

In the case of executives or masters of large clans, they are practically treated as nobles.

“Do you know who I am and still act like this?”

“What, what? Who the hell are you?!”

‘Stupid bastard…’

“…I’m from the Eternity Clan.”

“E-Eternity Clan?”

Indeed, as one of the top three clans, the mention of the Eternity Clan made him start to look nervous.

He was probably thinking, “What if this guy is an executive of the Eternity Clan?”

“A-Are you an executive of the Eternity Clan?”

“…No. I’m just an ordinary clan member.”

Hearing that I was just an ordinary clan member, the man’s expression relaxed. He probably thought it was fortunate that I wasn’t an executive.

“Ahem, ahem… I must have been rude for a moment. I am Dikette Bergen, the eldest son of Baron Bergen.”

“……”

As I remained silent, the man continued.

“But… may I ask what your relationship with Charis is?”

I frowned and looked at Charis.

‘Damn it, stop signaling me with your mouth.’

“…Sigh, the truth is, we like each other. So, can I leave now?”

It seemed easier to just agree and get rid of this guy quickly, so I affirmed his question.

“Sigh… You’re a foreigner, aren’t you? How could you be with her? I can’t understand…!”

‘Damn it, what’s there to understand? You can have this crazy woman. Damn it…’

I genuinely wanted to blow up this city. Starting with that bitch, I don’t understand why people can’t leave others alone.

“…Young Master Dikette. My relationship with this person is none of your concern…”

“Why…! I expressed my feelings so much! How can you be so decisive?!”

‘Don’t get excited, you idiot. You’re just stopping yourself from diving into hell.’

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of this guy, desperate to throw his life into the gutter.

I wonder how his expression would change if he knew the true nature of the person he’s confessing to.

“Young Master Dikette… please stop. I appreciate your feelings, but… I can’t accept them.”

‘Disgusting woman.’

It gives me chills knowing this is all an act.

Suddenly, this situation felt ridiculous.

One guy is courting a dangerous woman like a moth to a flame, another guy is trying to avoid her knowing her true nature, and the crazy woman is clinging to the guy trying to avoid her.

“Charis!”

Suddenly, the guy ran over and grabbed the woman’s hands with both of his. I didn’t miss the brief flash of genuine irritation in Charis’s eyes.

She quickly composed herself and started giving me a look, urging me to do something.

‘Damn it…’

Thud.

“…Young Master Dikette. Isn’t this behavior a bit rude?”

“…That is…”

“Please leave now. We’re quite busy.”

“…Charis. I’ll contact you later… I, I won’t give up. I’m serious.”

With that, the man left, dragging his feet.

As soon as the man left after saying goodbye, I knew I should hold back, but the recent stress got the better of me, and harsh words came out at the woman.

“Damn it, what the hell are you trying to pull?”

“…What?”

She was stunned, clearly not expecting me to curse at her. She seemed to doubt what she just heard.

“…Don’t ever drag me into a situation like this again.”

Thud.

I slapped her hand away, which was still holding my arm, and started heading back to the mansion.