CHAPTER 17
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Taera, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully, couldn't suppress a soft chuckle as he probed, "That ring, you treat it like a burden, but is it actually your way of flaunting a couple's ring?"
His question hit uncomfortably close to home. Yet, the term he used was too significant to overlook from my perspective.
"A couple ring?! That's quite an exaggeration," I protested, trying to dispel the growing speculation.
"Really?"
"Yes, definitely not that."
"Then what exactly is it?"
As I struggled to articulate a response, Jehee interjected. He inserted himself between Taera and me, his hands firmly on our shoulders, guiding us away from the conversation.
"We've cleared this area. Time to move on,” Jehee urged.
Taera's response was laden with suspicion. "...That's suspicious."
The situation left me pondering. Was there a clause about confidentiality in our agreement? As far as I remembered, there was no such stipulation. The ambiguity of our relationship and the purpose of these rings seemed to only deepen the mystery, fueling more questions than answers.
Sighing, I trudged forward, unable to resist Jehee's silent urging to drop the conversation. We were the only living beings left in the vast field strewn with monster carcasses.
Chorok, who had been securing the perimeter, approached Taera and me.
At that moment, Hana, usually expressionless, unexpectedly voiced her concern. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice carrying a rare hint of empathy.
"...Me?" I responded, slightly taken aback.
"Yes, you," she affirmed, her gaze steady on me.
Why did her simple inquiry resonate so deeply with me? Hana's tone and expression remained neutral, yet her single question seemed to dissolve the pent-up emotions I had been harboring.
Hana, in that moment, felt like a lifeline...
[Warning: Master's mood has worsened, leading to a -1 decrease in Lovability.]
[Repeated warnings indicate a continued drop in Lovability and the activation of the 'Melancholy' effect.]
This situation was becoming intolerable!
I felt a sudden weakness overwhelm me, and Jehee's hand on my shoulder seemed to grow heavier. Stumbling, I found myself inadvertently leaning into her for support. This was not at all what I had planned.
The sudden dip to -3 in my mood left me bewildered and struggling.
"What's going on with him? Is he under some kind of status effect again?"
"Are you okay, Seonwoo?"
"No, far from it,” I confessed. “I feel like I'm about to fall apart."
The collective concern of the party members was evident, but it only served to heighten my embarrassment.
Seeking answers, I quietly addressed Jehee, hoping the others wouldn't overhear. "What's the deal with this act?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you so upset? What's troubling you?"
Jehee responded with nothing but a smile, a silent enigma. Then, with an air of nonchalance, he lifted my weakened body, folding me over his shoulder with ease.
"Ugh!"
"Take this."
"And then?"
"I'll carry him, Master."
Taera questioned Jehee's decision to carry me, while Chorok, clad in his distinctive green, was quick to volunteer, treating me as if I were just another item to be transported. It seemed my discomfort was of little consequence to them, not even to Hana, who, despite her concerned look, directed her questions only to Jehee.
"This is really painful!"
"Master, let me carry him."
"Fine, Chorok, carry him. Hana, keep mapping. We need to finish this and leave."
"No, doesn't anyone see how much pain I'm in?!"
I felt a surge of annoyance. It was obvious Jehee had orchestrated this situation intentionally.
The burden of my struggling body weighed heavily on my shoulders, leaving me gasping for air. In that moment, Hana swiftly prepared to use a skill.
Only Hana seemed dependable...
[Party member 'Kim Hana' activates the support skill 'Exploration.' Assistant: Jehee.]
With a graceful gesture, Hana reached into the air. A bird-like form materialized above her hand, its shape crystallizing out of thin air.
The bird, materializing thus, exchanged a brief glance with Hana before soaring skyward. Hana would utilize the bird's vision to survey the entire dungeon, relaying crucial information to us as we navigated the perilous terrain.
As we approached the dense forest, Hana's directive was clear and concise: "Let's head to the front of that forest and regroup."
With her command, the party moved in seamless unison. Hana led the way, her pace swift and decisive, with Chorok, cloaked in green, keeping pace just behind her. Jehee, who had started a bit later, caught up effortlessly, appearing as relaxed as if on a leisurely walk. Taera, not wanting to be left behind, sprinted closely behind her.
Meanwhile, I was still perched awkwardly on Jehee's shoulder, gripping whatever I could to avoid tumbling off. Amidst the rush and the wind rushing past, a faint voice reached my ears.
"So, in the future, please be mindful of your gaze."
His words puzzled me. Was he referring to my gaze? If this was a veiled warning to keep my observations to myself, it was already effective.
Yet, as I contemplated his enigmatic statement, I dared not open my mouth, fearing that the breakneck speed might cause me to bite my tongue. In this dungeon, my end might not come from monstrous claws or fangs but from sheer stress or the humiliation of this bizarre ride.
Ah, the indignity of it all.
At the forest's edge, our party paused for a breather, except for me, still draped over Jehee's shoulder. Desperate to be set down, I resorted to lavishing praise.
"Jehee's shoulders are as broad as the ocean, and his spirit as vast as the heavens."
These days, of course, everyone knows the sky is marred by pollution.
"I am truly honored to be a fan of Jehee. I'd shout it from the rooftops if there were a place to do so."
Thankfully, there was no such place for announcements. Not a fan of social media, I had no plans to broadcast this sentiment in the future either.
"Jehee always looks after me so thoughtfully. The care is as gentle as silk."
Ironically, silk was the fabric I loathed most. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
With each over-the-top compliment, my Lovability score inched up, gradually freeing me from the status ailment. Yet, despite knowing the ailment had lifted, Chorok continued to carry me. It took a plea, raw and sincere, to finally persuade him.
"...Please, have mercy. Let me down."
At last, responding to my heartfelt appeal, Jehee acquiesced and Chorok lowered me to the ground. Collapsing onto the grass, I touched the earth, my relief so profound it bordered on tears.
Never had I imagined that feeling the solid ground beneath me would bring such immense relief, nor that I would stoop to such depths of flattery for self-preservation.
Sighing heavily, I reconciled with my bruised pride. Damn it, indeed.
Relief washed over me as my feet finally touched the ground, but it was mingled with a sense of self-reproach for resorting to such extremes just to be let down.
Sighing in frustration, I chastised myself inwardly. Damn it, indeed.
Hana then announced our next move. "We need to traverse the forest. Once everyone's ready, we'll proceed."
She gestured to the party, her attention momentarily on the bird that had been circling overhead. As it descended to rest on her arm, its form began to blur, gradually fading into nothingness, signaling the end of her skill.
At the cue from the announcement, the party members, already prepared, rose to their feet, making final adjustments to their gear. Hana, ever efficient, beckoned to Chorok, explaining the path ahead in hushed tones. Following their lead, Jehee and Taera also stood, ready to embark.
Yet, Taera's persistent proximity puzzled me. Why was he always so keen on engaging me in conversation? When had we become this acquainted?
"That ring, did Jehee give it to you?" Taera persisted.
"What if he did?" I shot back.
"If he did, then he did. Why the 'what if'?" Taera was curious.
"I'm just saying I'd rather not delve into the details. Haven't you been told you lack subtlety?" I scoffed.
"...I seem to hear 'I'm sorry' from you quite frequently. Would you like me to give you a reason to say it again?"
Taera seemed to have a penchant for veiled threats, his approach to conversation more confrontational than conversational.