CHAPTER 18
✦ ✦ ✦
As I surreptitiously licked my lips, my gaze shifted to Jehee, who stood beside me. His faint smile, barely perceptible, affirmed my choice to hold my tongue.
Seizing on Jehee's subtle hint, I steered the conversation elsewhere. "You know," I began tentatively.
"What? Feeling remorseful?" Jehee prodded, an edge in his voice.
"Remorseful? Hardly." I retorted, a hint of incredulity coloring my tone. "The word 'sorry' is foreign to my lips. But why persist in this informal banter? You're aware, aren't you?"
Jehee's smile twisted wryly. "Oh, do you find me too affable? You've just stepped into the fray, haven't you?"
Beside me, Taera, his arm nonchalantly draped over mine, quirked a smile. Yet, his demeanor lacked Jehee's daunting presence. It wasn't that Taera was more approachable; rather, it underscored the veiled menace in Jehee's quiet amusement.
"It's not that," I hesitated, "but your informal tone..."
"I speak as I wish. Can't I?" he interrupted sharply. "Before you arrived, I gauged your level. A mere 52."
"Just 52," I muttered, the phrase stinging. "Such an unpleasant term."
"And what has your level to do with informal speech?"
"Well, those of lower stature tend to bite their tongue, unable to retaliate or win in a confrontation."
Silence.
"Annoyed? Then elevate your status."
I grimaced, stung by his words.
A wave of irritation washed over me at the response from someone who appeared barely into their twenties. I resolved then and there to level up. Firm in my decision, I pressed my lips together, determined not to engage further. Yet, Taera poked my side again with his elbow, an action that grated on my nerves.
"Why, though!" I couldn't help but exclaim.
"Why? You seem overly dependent on Jehee, don't you think?"
"Trust Jehee? Hardly." My words dripped with sarcasm. "But of course, he’s the epitome of reliability. The national hero, Jehee. My faith lies solely in Hunter Jehee!"
[The Master's mood improves, and you receive +1 charm.]
I marveled inwardly. My mood lifts on the back of such blatant fabrications? It's baffling. Even Taera, usually oblivious, could see through my insincerity. Why then does Jehee react this way?
"I'm perplexed why you'd resort to falsehoods to appease Jehee’s mood. Is there a deeper motive than what's apparent?"
"I... I'm not sure."
"If you don't have the answer, who does?"
"I genuinely don't know..."
"Why not be forthright about what's happening? Why shroud it in these peculiar curiosities? Is there... some fondness for it?"
The apparent overconfidence in his question bordered on absurdity. Was this an extreme case of narcissism? I struggled to comprehend how he construed any sort of affection from my behavior.
"Are you out of your mind?" I retorted incredulously.
"It's you who's lost it. Why this incessant fawning?"
"Who's fawning...?" I mumbled under my breath.
Taera's brow furrowed at my muttered response. Just as he was about to speak, Hana's urgent shout diverted his attention.
"Everyone, halt!"
At Hana's command, Chorok instinctively hoisted his sword. The wind whipped around us, stirring the leaves into a frenzied dance, creating an ominous atmosphere. I edged closer to Jehee, a sense of foreboding creeping over me.
[The Master's mood improves, and you receive +1 charm.]
I chose to disregard the baffling status update that appeared. Delving into its meaning would only drag me into its absurdity.
Sssss...
But what was that sound? The wind died down, leaving an unsettling silence. A soft, sinister hiss reached our ears. I tensed, swallowing hard. Then, as if on cue, something plummeted from the trees above. Our group's gaze instinctively converged on the spot.
Suddenly...
"Aaargh!"
To say it resembled a mosquito would be an understatement. This was a monstrosity, the size of an adult's thigh, squirming on the ground, its grotesque head snapping viciously.
More insects, aroused by the commotion, descended with heavy thuds. It became clear: we were in the midst of a colossal mosquito nest.
The first of these abominations, its monstrous maw gaping, spewed a jet of red liquid like a water cannon.
"Argh! This is madness, damn it!"
The mere sight of the creature set off a wave of revulsion through me, compelling me to shield my face with my arms. At that precise moment, Jehee, previously clinging to my waist, leaped back nimbly, evading the creature's spewed fluid.
I latched onto the guy's shoulder, swiveling to dodge the liquid. Amidst the chaos, our party seemed to be handling the monstrosities effectively, as indicated by the constant updates in the status window. However, I was too drained to even glance at it.
[The Master's mood improves, and you receive +1 charm.]
"Does the sight of bugs unnerve you?"
"Who wouldn't be unnerved by something of this magnitude?"
Jehee laughed heartily at my tense response, while Taera reacted differently.
"What's the fuss? It's not extraordinarily large for a monster, is it?"
Not large? Was he serious?
In a moment of incredulity, I forced myself to scrutinize the monster once more. The insect-like beast boasted a vertically split mouth, its sharp teeth glaringly visible as it oscillated its jaws, readying another vile spray. The creature's size magnified the horror of its fur-covered body and numerous squirming legs, sending a chill through me.
I instantly regretted my decision to take a closer look. Had I known, I would have never ventured into this dungeon, regardless of the potential for leveling up!
Overwhelmed with regret and fear, I sought refuge by pressing my face into Jehee's shoulder. Unlike these seasoned hunters, my only brush with dungeons had been in video games. My proficiency with skills was purely accidental.
Biting back the urge to voice these thoughts, I clung to Jehee, praying our eyes wouldn't meet and etch this nightmarish image into my memory for days.
With a tsk, Jehee remarked, "If you're this terrified, perhaps you should stay put here."
Just then, a calm voice accompanied by a clicking sound of a tongue reached my ears.
The status window was a flurry of activity, displaying the flurry of skills employed by Hana and Chorok. Meanwhile, Taera's actions had gone unnoticed by me, leaving me uncertain about his current situation. Contrary to my assumption that he would be in the thick of the action like Jehee, Taera had erected a protective shield and stood comfortably behind it.
Observing him poised behind the shield, Jehee, still clasping me tightly, leaped skyward. From this elevated vantage point, my eyes met Taera's, and through the translucent barrier of his shield, our gazes locked. It seemed his annoyance stemmed more from my reliance on Jehee than from any concern for my safety.
Despite this realization, I found it impossible to break our eye contact.
The shield suddenly seemed enticing, a haven of safety. Lost in this thought, a warm breath tickled my ear, followed by a voice laced with amusement.
"Are you coming?"
The voice was so gentle, so teasing, it almost seemed like an illusion. Hesitantly, I looked up into a pair of eyes narrowed in a mischievous smile.
The dilemma presented itself clearly: seek refuge within Taera's shield or remain with Jehee. A perplexing choice indeed.
"Together..." I began, intending to suggest joining Taera, but the words faltered on my lips. It wasn't just the diminishing smile on Jehee's face that stopped me.
My gaze shifted reluctantly from Jehee, whose smile was fading into an unreadable expression. His dark eyes contrasted starkly with the scene before me, where Taera stood, his shield radiating a soft, inviting glow. I allowed myself a moment to be captivated by its allure before meeting Jehee's eyes once more.
The dilemma was clear: Lee Jehee, the game's protagonist and arguably the strongest character, presented a more reliable option, even if our bond was merely contractual. The safety promised by his white shield was undeniable, yet a sense of regret lingered.
With a resigned nod, I silently acknowledged my decision. Jehee responded with a soft chuckle, a sound that vibrated through my tense frame. Suddenly, a brilliant light enveloped me.
[Congratulations, Hunter Yeon Sunwoo! You have successfully leveled up!]
[The Master's mood improves, and you receive +1 charm.]
Blind to these notifications with my eyes shut, I couldn't help but wonder why Jehee, skilled as he was, refrained from using his abilities.
[Yeon Seonwoo Lv. 53
Attribute Grade: C Grade
Primary Attribute: Supporter
Secondary Attribute: Mentalist
Awakening Attribute: - (Non-awakened)
Physical Attack Power: 255
Magic Attack Power: 1,613
Physical Defense: 3,816
Magic Defense: 2,791
Status Ailment Resistance: 1,153
↓Expand]
The leveling up was a stroke of fortune, courtesy of Hana and Greenie's relentless assault on the mosquito horde. It was a peculiarly satisfying feeling.
My contribution had been minimal, merely closing my eyes and clinging to Jehee in a mix of fear and reliance. But as the chaos subsided, I opened my eyes to find Jehee standing there, his gaze fixed on me with a look of bemusement. Our eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between us.
Caught in Jehee's gaze, I tilted my head, perplexed by his expression. Mirroring my action, he tilted his head too, his lips curving into a playful, enigmatic smile. Intrigued by this silent exchange, I turned slightly, only to find that we were the focus of all eyes around us, each pair reflecting a mix of emotions.
Feeling a surge of self-consciousness, I made a feeble attempt to appear nonchalant as I subtly distanced myself from Jehee.
"Check the information window," Jehee suggested, his voice carrying a relaxed, almost indifferent tone.
Following his prompt, I accessed the information window, and there it was, a testament to my progress: Level 53!
I had indeed leveled up, a small victory amidst the chaos and uncertainty.