Chapter 22 – LV.Three Martial Artist Gaeulbi – [Three]

Once it was clear there were no more dangers around and even the wound on her palm wasn’t a serious issue, the first words Gaeulbi spoke were praise for the party’s Priest.

“Seo Yun, you’re so cool!”

To look even cooler, Seo Yun nodded with an indifferent expression. Gaeulbi continued shouting.

“Really, you were so cool! Cutting down all those Skeletons, and protecting me with your sword!”

Gaeulbi squealed excitedly for a while before turning her head toward Han Siwoo.

“Siwoo, what are you doing? Hurry up and praise her too!”

Han Siwoo opened his mouth a beat late.

“You… you’re pretty skilled.”

“Is that it? Praise her more!”

Unable to resist Gaeulbi’s insistence, Han Siwoo added.

“Thanks for protecting her.”

Seo Yun accepted his words expressionlessly, though inwardly she felt proud. It felt even better hearing such words from that grumpy guy.

But Gaeulbi still seemed dissatisfied.

“Are you reading from a textbook? What kind of praise is so unnatural?”

“What do you mean…”

As Han Siwoo trailed off, Gaeulbi pressed further.

“By the way, why have you been wearing that Helm since earlier?”

“It’s comfortable…”

“Didn’t you whine before that wearing it felt like your head would split? Take it off!”

While Han Siwoo stammered, Gaeulbi pulled off his Helm.

The face of a boy so young he was practically a child was revealed. Seeing his face, which looked about seventeen, Seo Yun wasn’t particularly surprised. Hadn’t she already seen that face illuminated by the campfire last night when she went to fulfill her duty as an Angel girl?

And now, in the bright light, the utterly ordinary face of a boy was before her eyes. The only difference was that now his face was flushed even redder than it had been under the campfire’s crimson glow.

Seeing Han Siwoo’s bright red face, Gaeulbi looked incredulous.

“What, you’re embarrassed after just that one bit of praise?”

Han Siwoo seemed unable to handle the situation. Watching him suddenly walk away and start fidgeting with his sword for no reason, Seo Yun thought: That cute little guy.

Gaeulbi muttered.

“Why’s he acting like that?”

Seo Yun grinned and whispered to Gaeulbi what she had just understood.

“He’s acting like that because of you.”

“Huh? Because of me?”

“When a guy is in front of his girlfriend, he has to be careful about being kind or praising another girl, right? He’s acting unnatural because he’s trying to gauge your reaction. He’s really devoted. He’s so good, treat him well…”

Then Gaeulbi blinked.

“We’re not dating.”

This time, Seo Yun blinked. What nonsense was this Chimpanzee spouting?

“You two aren’t a couple?”

“Nope!”

“Then?”

Gaeulbi answered in a small voice.

“This is a secret, but he likes men…!”

Seo Yun’s eyes widened as she looked at Han Siwoo.

“Did he say that himself?”

At Seo Yun’s question, Gaeulbi nodded.

“Yeah. That’s why we travel together. Even if he’s a man, he’s safe with me…”

“Is there any other reason you travel together besides that?”

“Not really, why?”

Seo Yun turned her head back to Gaeulbi. Studying her appearance, she thought:

Gaeulbi, despite being a Chimpanzee who rejected the conveniences of civilization, had a remarkably pretty appearance. Perhaps she was the prettiest Chimpanzee in the world.

Her height of about 178 cm and her nicely long, slender limbs were worthy of being called a model’s physique by anyone who saw them.

And the face atop that body was undeniably cute at first glance. Her hair was a tangled mess, likely from not washing it for days, and it was clear she hadn’t washed her face, let alone worn makeup, for days. Yet the fact that she still looked quite pretty suggested that if Gaeulbi put in a little effort, she would immediately reveal considerable beauty.

And the guy next to her, who supposedly doesn’t like women, is following this pretty girl around for no reason? Was she supposed to believe that?

A Chimpanzee might believe it, but Seo Yun, a human, couldn’t. She quickly revised her earlier assessment of Han Siwoo. That sly little guy.

She decided not to tell Gaeulbi that traveling with her was like a male Wolf in sheep’s clothing. After all, that was just her speculation, and whether that speculation was true or not, ruining their current relationship was something she shouldn’t do.

Meanwhile, Gaeulbi was once again heaping praise on the Priest.

“Anyway, you really worked hard today! I totally get why people talk about noble Priests, noble Priests! Look, if just the two of us had tried to catch that thing, I might have gotten seriously hurt or we might have failed the hunt, right? You got hurt earlier, but still, ending it like this is all thanks to the Priest stepping in…”

After that, Gaeulbi continued with various praises. Thanks to the Blessing Spell, shooting her bow felt less tense and much easier; she had prepared to be bitten by mosquitoes, but thanks to the Armor Spell, she wasn’t bitten anywhere, which was great, and so on.

Seo Yun could guess the reason. It seemed she wanted them to team up a few more times?

And she had already concluded that the two had no intention of harming her.

Thinking about it now, there was no particular reason not to…

Seo Yun spoke.

“You’re pretty amazing yourself. I also had my first real battle last time, and even then, I was under a Blessing Spell? But all the other Party Members were flustered, nothing like your calm demeanor.”

“Ah… come to think of it, there was another Party?”

“But I think it’d be fine to team up with you guys a few more times.”

Gaeulbi went “Oh,” in admiration, then opened her mouth wide.

“Really, is that okay?”

“It’s fine. I need to earn more Experience Points than others anyway. Because of my Race Penalty, I get 30% less Experience.”

“What kind of Race has such a severe penalty?”

“There is such a Race. It’s a Race specialized in theft…”

It grew dark, and they couldn’t continue hunting in this state.

Seo Yun suggested going into the village to stay the night, but Gaeulbi refused.

“You know we have quite a bit of stuff, right? I’m worried it might get stolen, so I’m hesitant to go in carelessly.”Seo Yun didn’t try to stop them.

“Then where will you stay? An empty building?”

“Probably?”

“Well, let’s go there.”

Seo Yun followed them to the building where they planned to stay and, after a prayer, lit a magical fire for them. While the two could certainly gather firewood and kindling themselves, they knew this fire was better. It produced no smoke and could be used throughout their camping.

Before the sacred flame, Gaeulbi’s mouth fell open in a silent ‘ha.’ She turned her gaze from the fire to look at Seo Yun and expressed her gratitude as if shouting.

“Really, thank you so much!”

“Thanks? It’s just a matter of casting one spell. Well, both of you get some good rest. You worked hard today.”

“You too! So, how can we contact you if we want to call you again?”

“You can just leave a message with the personnel at the guard post.”

“But I don’t really want to announce that we’re staying around here…”

Seo Yun thought. This girl is ridiculously cautious.

“Then come to the area near the fortress wall around 21:00 every day. I’ll be on night patrol duty up on the fortress wall there.”

“Is that really okay?”

“Yeah. Well then…”

Seo Yun was about to turn and leave. Gaeulbi grabbed Seo Yun’s wrist and, with a face full of smiles, said this to her:

“Let me say it again, I’m really grateful! I’m so glad I got to be with you today!”

After a slight hesitation, Seo Yun smiled back at her.

“I also enjoyed today, thanks to you.”

With those words, Seo Yun left the building where the two were going to stay.

Even as she walked, the smile didn’t leave the corners of her mouth. What she said about having enjoyed herself just now wasn’t an empty compliment.

She truly had enjoyed it, thanks to them. Lately, she hadn’t been having particularly enjoyable days, hadn’t she? It had been a really long time since she felt this cheerful.

Why? Because she received lots of compliments from a pretty girl and even got to show off her skills against bone monsters?

That might be part of it, but after a little thought, she realized there was an even bigger reason.

She had rarely been able to act with such peace of mind as she did this time. Originally, in the Party—that is, when she was active with those six—she always felt uncomfortable inside. It was exhausting, having to consider Kim Ak, watch Seong Juri’s reactions, and engage in power struggles with the three who ignored her…

The entrance to Happy Village came into view. Only then did Seo Yun withdraw the smile from her lips and return to the village.