Chapter 65

“Trainee Lee Yun-seong?”

‘Damn…’

Seo Yoo-joo seemed flustered by Ha Yu-ri’s sudden appearance, probably because she didn’t know Yu-ri was here.

“And… Trainee Seo Yoo-joo is here too? Oh, wait, you’re not a trainee anymore, my bad.”

I managed my expression and greeted Ha Yu-ri.

“Hello, Ha Yu-ri. I didn’t expect to see you here…”

“Why are you and Lee Yun-seong here, Seo Yoo-joo?”

Her interruption made my blood boil for a moment, but I calmed myself and answered calmly.

“We just came here to eat, Ha Yu-ri.”

“Did I ask you? I was asking Seo Yoo-joo.”

‘Damn bitch…’

The good mood was obviously ruined by Ha Yu-ri. Seo Yoo-joo’s face was as cold as ice.

I was worried Seo Yoo-joo might cause a scene, but she seemed aware that she shouldn’t, so she quietly answered Ha Yu-ri.

“…I just came here to eat with Yoon Seong.”

“Hmm, really? Oh, by the way, about the offer I made to the Eternity Clan, are you really not considering it?”

Ha Yu-ri was probably referring to the recruitment offer she made after our clan fell.

Of course, that offer didn’t include me. I vividly remember Seo Yoo-joo tearing up the recruitment letter as soon as it arrived at the Clan House.

“…Sorry, I’m not really considering it.”

“Hmm…”

Ha Yu-ri seemed dissatisfied with Seo Yoo-joo’s answer. She glanced at me and then spoke.

“Is it because of Lee Yun-seong?”

‘Crazy bitch.’

“…What?”

“If you’re rejecting because of Lee Yun-seong, you should think again. It’s a waste. Someone like you being tied down to that guy.”

She was even crazier than I expected. I couldn’t believe she’d say something like that right in front of me.

Her attitude completely disregarded me.

‘Unbelievable.’

I wasn’t just annoyed; I was actually impressed by Ha Yu-ri. Unless she was shot in the head, how could she act like this?

I saw Seo Yoo-joo trembling with her head down, so I quickly grabbed her hand on the table.

She looked at me, and I shook my head slightly to convey my message.

‘Don’t do it.’

My heart was pounding with tension. If Seo Yoo-joo pulled out a spear, it would be a disaster.

‘Please don’t do it.’

I really hoped Seo Yoo-joo understood my message.

Maybe Ha Yu-ri had been shot in the head because she continued speaking.

“You know our clan was promoted to a top 3 clan, right? Think carefully. Ruining your life for a guy…”

“…Get lost.”

“…What did you say?”

‘Damn it…! Damn it…!’

At least Seo Yoo-joo didn’t pull out a spear, but it seemed like this was the most she could hold back.

“I said, get lost.”

The thing I feared most had finally happened.

“Haha… Ha Yu-ri. You seem quite drunk, so maybe next time…”

“Shut up. Seo Yoo-joo, what did you just say to me? Are you out of your mind?”

“Are you out of your mind? How can someone be this rude?”

“What?”

As our voices rose, people around us started looking our way.

“Yoon Seong is a precious clan member and party member to me. Do you think it’s normal to say such things in front of him?”

Even though our social standing is low, Ha Yu-ri had clearly crossed the line.

No matter how new I am or how big Ha Yu-ri’s clan is, no one treats a newcomer like this in public.

“…Hah.”

So now, Ha Yu-ri couldn’t really argue back, especially with people watching. It’s not easy for her to act tough in this situation.

“…I didn’t know that guy meant so much to you, Seo Yoo-joo… enough to make such a stupid choice.”

“That’s enough, I don’t want to talk anymore. Please leave.”

“This is…!”

Just as Ha Yu-ri was about to unleash her magic power in anger, a Japanese man approached.

“What’s going on, Ha Yu-ri?”

Immediately, the magic power Ha Yu-ri was gathering started to calm down.

“…It’s nothing, Kanda.”

She started managing her expression, probably wanting to look good in front of that man. The way she smiled and crossed her arms was ridiculous.

“Ha…”

Seo Yoo-joo also looked at Ha Yu-ri with a pitiful expression.

“Kanda, let’s go somewhere else. I know a good place.”

“Is that so? But it seemed like there was some issue with these people…”

“No, let’s just go.”

“Alright.”

‘Stupid bitch.’

I was amazed at how quickly Ha Yu-ri’s attitude changed, like flipping a coin.

As Ha Yu-ri left with the man, she whispered to Seo Yoo-joo.

“…You’ll regret this, Seo Yoo-joo.”

‘You’re hopeless.’

I realized I couldn’t just let Ha Yu-ri be. Since she’s hostile towards me, it’s only natural to start preparing from now on.

‘You shouldn’t have said you’ll regret it.’

If she had just left quietly, it would’ve been fine, but after saying something like that, I couldn’t just sit still.

“Ha… I could tear that bitch apart… Yoon Seong, are you okay?”

Seo Yoo-joo asked me with a trembling voice.

She must have felt quite anxious since Ha Yu-ri was about to unleash her magic power.

“I’m fine, Yoo-joo.”

Honestly, I was sweating when Ha Yu-ri was about to use her magic, but I said I was fine.

‘…Magic power stat 94.’

Indeed, a magic power stat of 94 is overwhelming. When Ha Yu-ri was about to use her magic, my body trembled uncontrollably, so no further explanation is needed.

‘There’s no way I can take her down with force.’

“Yoon Seong. Don’t pay too much attention to what that woman said. Me and the party members, we all value you dearly.”

“I’m not thinking about that at all, so don’t worry. But I’m sorry. I chose this place and ruined the mood…”

Honestly, Ha Yu-ri’s words didn’t bother me much. I already knew what kind of person she was.

But I felt really bad for Seo Yoo-joo. I had planned to treat her really well today.

“Why are you apologizing, Yoon Seong? How could you have known that woman would be here? There’s no need to apologize.”

“……”

“…If you really want to apologize, can you do me one favor?”

I was curious. She usually doesn’t ask me for favors.

“Ah… Sure. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”

“Let’s go for a second round, just the two of us!”

“…A second round?”





“Yeah, it’s not like we can drink more here anyway, so let’s go somewhere else and drink more!”

“…Alright. Let’s go for round two.”

“Hehe… sounds good!”

I felt really bad for Yoo Ju, and since we had plenty of time to spare, I accepted her suggestion to go for a second round.

*****

‘Damn it…’

“Ugh… Yoon Seong… drink more… more…”

I was currently supporting a completely drunk Yoo Ju as we made our way back to the Clan House.

‘Dammit, I’m an idiot for agreeing to go for round two.’

In the end, it didn’t stop at just the second round, and we ended up drinking for quite a while.

I was also pretty drunk, and it was really hard to keep myself steady while trying to take care of her.

“Phew… Yoo Ju, what are you even drinking now? Stop talking nonsense.”

“I’m not drunk…! Let’s go somewhere else… let’s drink more…!”

‘Damn, you should never drink again… this is bad.’

“What… your words are all slurred… if you keep saying you want to drink more, I’m just gonna leave you here, okay?”

“Nooo… don’t leave meee…!”

Suddenly, she grabbed my right arm with both hands and started sobbing.

“Waaah… don’t disappear… Yoon Seong… I like you…”

‘What the hell… why is she like this? Damn it…!’

“…I won’t leave you. I won’t disappear, so stop crying.”

“Sniff… really? You won’t disappear…?”

“Yes, I really won’t disappear. So please…!”

‘Damn it.’

My face turned red from Yoo Ju’s antics. Especially since the people passing by were giggling and staring at us.

‘I’m never drinking alone with you again…!’

We’d been walking for a while, but the Clan House still wasn’t in sight. Just as I was about to sigh in frustration, someone called out to me.

“Lee Yoon Seong.”

“…Ho-yeon?”

‘What? Why is Wi Ho-yeon here?’

“Why are you outside, Ho-yeon?”

“…The Clan Master and you hadn’t returned late into the night, so I came out to look for you.”

“…What time is it now?”

“It’s 2 a.m.”

I guess I was pretty drunk too, since I hadn’t noticed the time passing.

“…The Clan Master seems pretty drunk.”

“Ah, yes… Ho-yeon, sorry, but could you help me support Yoo Ju?”

“Sure, I’ll take her for a bit…”

The problem was that Yoo Ju didn’t want to let go of me. In fact, when Ho-yeon tried to take her, she started thrashing around and spouting nonsense.

“Nooo…! You’re trying to take Yoon Seong away from meee!”

‘…What is she even saying?’

“Uh, Clan Master?”

Ho-yeon looked hurt as Yoo Ju rejected her.

In the end, I gave up and spoke.

“…I’ll just keep supporting her.”

“…..”

When we finally made it back to the Clan House, everyone was gathered on the first floor, still awake. It seemed they were worried since Yoo Ju and I hadn’t returned late into the night.

“Oppa!”

“…Hey, Yoo Rim…”

“Why are you so late? And what’s wrong with Yoo Ju unnie…?”

“…Yoo Ju is pretty drunk. Can you help take her to her room?”

“Ah… sure!”

After hearing me, Yoo Rim and Yoo Hyun helped Yoo Ju to her room.

“Ugh… damn it… looks like you two had a fun little date, huh?”

‘…What the hell, why is she like this?’

I was already exhausted, and Kang I-seo started talking with a clearly dissatisfied expression.

“Huh? One of you even dressed up all fancy. Why didn’t you just stay the night?”

“…Why are you like this?”

“You went drinking with Wi Ho-yeon alone at a bar recently, right?”

“…..”

“Wow~ You’re already getting close to a girl you just met… and today, it’s Yoo Ju.”

“What are you even talking about? What…”

“You’re such a playboy, aren’t you?”

“A playboy? What…”

I was speechless at being called a playboy. I could kind of understand why Kang I-seo was misunderstanding, but I swear today wasn’t like that.

“I heard it all from Cha Hyeon-jin. Don’t try to hide it…”

It seemed Hyeon-jin had seen me and Yoo Ju earlier today and misunderstood, passing on the wrong information.

“…I get why you’re misunderstanding, but seriously.”

Honestly, even as I said it, I felt a bit like trash. I wasn’t completely oblivious to Yoo Ju’s feelings while we were drinking.

“Hey, you know that makes it worse, right?”

“…..”

“You’re such a trashy guy…”

“…..”

Honestly, from my perspective, there was nothing I could do. Yoo Ju was a Returner, so I couldn’t just push her away, but I also couldn’t accept her feelings.

‘The best thing… is for things to stay as they are.’

It was a trashy thought, but there was nothing I could do. From my perspective, this was the best option.

I avoided Kang I-seo’s gaze because it was too burdensome, but she kept talking.

“Hey, why are you avoiding my eyes? Feeling guilty?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“Ugh… whatever. Hey, by the way… did you two just drink?”

“…Yeah, we just drank… oh, right.”

At my response, Kang I-seo suddenly spoke in a hurried tone.

“Hey, what?! Damn it, something happened between you two, didn’t it? Tell me the truth…!”

“No… it’s not that, I ran into Ha Yu-ri.”

At the sudden mention of Ha Yu-ri, everyone looked at me with puzzled expressions.

“Hey, what are you talking about? You met Instructor Ha Yu-ri?”

“Yeah. She was at the bar.”

I wondered if I shouldn’t have mentioned it, but thinking about it, it wasn’t a big deal, so it was fine to say.

“…Nothing serious happened, right? That crazy woman didn’t cause any trouble?”

“Well, there was some minor trouble… but nothing major, so don’t worry.”

“…You sure it wasn’t serious?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. Anyway, I’m tired, so I’m heading up first. It’s late, so you all should get some rest too. I’m going to my room.”

After entering my room, I was so tired that I didn’t even wash up and just collapsed onto the bed.

‘Damn, I’m exhausted…’

Maybe it was because I drank so much, but I quickly fell into a deep sleep.