He had three choices. If he got it right, there was a high probability that Seo Ryeong’s favorability would change to “trusting.” Then he’d be able to do his duties, like making them go on missions.
I don’t know what the mission will be… But he was certain that the reward would befit the difficulty.
For now, though, he had to give her a good answer.
▶ Maybe I like you. Isn’t that enough? ▷ Ahh, enough! Buy me a drink! ▷ (´▽`)ﾉ (Available)
The first option was just terrible.
I’ve never even been in a relationship… but I’m certain surprising her with a line like that isn’t going to end well.
Besides which, Seol-Hwi was her superior. He would come off as a pervert abusing his authority.
But…
▷ Ahh, enough! Buy me a drink!
Why should she buy him a drink? He couldn’t figure out how it was supposed to work. Seol-Hwi wasn’t about to make a woman buy him drinks, either.
So that was two options down.
▷ (´▽`)ﾉ (Available)
Damn it. Here it was again—the worst possible option for raising favorability. Seo Ryeong had already called him a pervert when he used this, and now it was back?
3… 2…
Time was ticking. He had to choose.
Shit, I don’t know! I can’t help it!
<You have selected “(´▽`)ﾉ.”>
Silence descended. Her expression changed immediately.
“Hah… really, your tastes never change.” She looked sad.
“…Sorry.” Seol-Hwi still didn’t know what it meant, but he knew the other two choices were probably worse. He couldn’t undo it, so he just apologized.
“I know one thing, though. Your tactics are too weird for you to be a simpleton.”
He blinked at her. Was that an insult or a compliment?
“I want to know what you’re thinking. What you’re preparing.”
“What…?”
“The future of our squad is clear, for now. The captain’s future seems clear. Even so, to have come here, you must have something planned, right? A reliable ally, or critical information; things like that.”
Ally? Aid? Seo Ryeong was asking him his plan to escape from this place—but Seol-Hwi always thought he’d be able to escape with his skill alone. What aid?
“I, uh…”
Yorim suddenly burst through the door.
“T-The Fourth Disciple has come!”
He stepped to the side, revealing the handsome man behind him.
“I heard it was a dangerous situation.”
“I’m sorry for showing you… this.”
“No. The Supreme Pavilion Lord wouldn’t have brought just anyone for his plan. You did well.” The Earth Demon smiled warmly at Seol-Hwi. “Take this.”
[Received Jade Dragon Pill x2]
“It will help you, in many more ways than just your internal injuries.”
“Thank you.”
He didn’t lay hands on the pills, they went straight into his Toolbox.
What do they do?
[Jade Dragon Pill] Description: Pill created from a plant known for having roots similar to ginseng. Looks like a small marble with a human face. Effects: Greatly increases health and internal energy. Has therapeutic effects.
“You did good.”
Seol-Hwi followed the Earth Demon’s gaze and landed on Seo Ryeong. Evidently he didn’t think he could rely on Seol-Hwi’s subordinates yet. There had to be someone much stronger than they were at the moment.
A man appeared, evidently one of the Earth Demon’s aides.
“What is it?” the Earth Demon asked.
“Well… The elder has come.”
“Elder? Which one?”
“Elder Baekon.”
“What?!”
His appearance alone was eye-catching, to say nothing of the way he sprinted into the room while shouting, apparently not even noticing that the Earth Demon was there.
“Is Seol-Hwi hurt? How the hell did you get hurt?!”
The man seemed the very definition of “beastly.” He was big and tall, and dressed like a beggar. His face looked like it hadn’t been washed in a few days. If it wasn’t for the silk robe he wore over it all, nobody would believe he was an elder.
Hm? There was someone else with him. Imugi? This was the guy who said he was the first disciple of Elder Baekhon.
“What brings the Elder all this way?”
The Elder seemed quite surprised to hear the Earth Demon’s voice. It was a good question, though—what brought a sect elder into the grounds of the Hidden Truth Corps?
“Ah, Earth Demon. I had to meet someone. I will greet you later…” He shook his head and turned to Seol-Hwi. “You’re Seol-Hwi?”
“Yes, um…”
“Yes?” Elder Baekhon’s face brightened and he reached out and grasped Seol-Hwi’s hands. “Hehehe. This old man has waited far too long to introduce himself. After all the hard work you had to do for us because of that disciple’s laziness, I didn’t even thank you in person. I was a bit busy at the time; I hope you understand.”
“I-It’s fine. Coming here is…”
“Ah, don’t get up. Let me see.” He ignored Seol-Hwi’s words and pushed him back into the bed. He touched a few places on Seol-Hwi’s head, body, and blood points, and nodded. “There are some injuries, but if they aren’t too severe it won’t be a problem.”
“Yes, I was lucky.”
“Right.”
This man seemed to be in his own world, even though the Earth Demon was right there. That apparently dismissive attitude could be a problem.
Seol-Hwi glanced over at the Earth Demon. I can’t even read his expression. The Fourth Disciple’s face was blank. Expressionless. Well, he was trained to handle any kind of political maneuvering, so this was probably nothing to him.
“Ah, I must have lost my mind. Earth Demon, please forgive me.” Belatedly, Elder Baekhon turned and paid his respects.
“It’s fine. If you’re done, could you tell me what’s going on?” The Earth Demon smiled and flapped his fan.
“Ah, well…” Elder Baekhon scratched his head and smiled. “A while back, Seol-Hwi helped one of my disciples.”
“Oh, is that so? For what?”
“That’s a bit… too personal for me to say. And a bit embarrassing, as well. Anyway, it’s thanks to Seol-Hwi that I found the disciple I thought I’d lost forever. Thank you, Earth Demon.”
“It was nothing. For an Elder, even I would go out of my way to help. If my weak subordinate was helpful, I’m grateful.”
“Haha—weak? You have quite an amazing person on your hands here. This old man understands why the Heavenly Demon took the Earth Demon as his disciple.”
“…Oh?!” The Earth Demon’s face brightened. The hand holding the fan trembled, belying his happiness despite his attempt to hide it.
Hmm… Appreciation from an elder. Seol-Hwi could understand why the Earth Demon was excited. Baekhon was known to be particularly strong among the elders of the Demonic Sect. On top of that, the Earth Demon had never attracted the interest of the elders like the other disciples had. He must’ve been so envious—but now, Baekhon, a prominent elder, had come to his place and praised him and his subordinates.
“Earth Demon, I imagine you must be dealing with a lot of difficulties these days?”
“Well, it’s part of my job.”
“If anything bothers you, please let me know. So long as there’s something I can do, I will come running right away.”
“T-That…?”
“You know what I mean.”
The Earth Demon was visibly shocked. Baekhon was known as a neutral party, yet he was openly declaring his position for no apparent benefit to himself. Did that mean the Earth Demon had a backer now? An elder, at that?
This is… Seol-Hwi was shocked as well, but because the way Seo Ryeong was looking at him had changed.
Was this your plan? Was what she seemed to be asking.
[Favorability has risen to “Trusting.”] [Except under special circumstances, favorability will not decrease.] [You can now issue missions to [Seo Ryeong.]
Finally!
[All members’ favorability has risen to “Trusting.”] [From now on, you will be able to create a plan for [Yorim, [Jeok Seong, [Yongjin, and [Seo Ryeong.] [You can now receive the Earth Demon’s mission. If you select this, the schedule will disappear and you will be moved to the main story.] [Their abilities, life, and death depend on Seol-Hwi.]
Seol-Hwi had a lot to think about.
