Chapter 400: If he were an enemy (2) |
“What do you think it’ll be like? If Kim Hyun-Sung were our enemy? Do you think we’ll be able to handle it?” Lee Ji-Hye asked.
She looked like she had been thinking about it for quite a while now, and I somehow understood why. The sight she had seen just now was just that shocking to her. I took a closer look at her and saw that she was nervous. Her eyes were quivering, and she looked pale as well, which was a great contrast to her usual demeanor.
‘She’s worried...’
She was probably imagining a situation where Kim Hyun-Sung was our enemy. It was only natural for anyone to think that way if they saw the same scene Lee Ji-Hye had seen.
In fact, I had the same thought as well. Kim Hyun-Sung was too strong and extraordinary that even the higher-ups would think the same. Kim Hyun-Sung had basically become an example of the heights a human being could reach. I was with the light, so I wasn’t worried, but I could understand why other people would become wary of him.
Lee Ji-Hye had always been the type to overthink and worry about useless things, so it wasn’t strange for her to imagine a scenario where Kim Hyun-Sung was our enemy.
“Do you think we’ll be able to handle it?” Lee Ji-Hye asked again.
“Who knows?” I replied.
“...”
“You don’t have to look at me like I’m such a weirdo. I just asked a question anyone else would ask because I honestly never thought he was this strong. I got anxious just imagining him as our enemy. To be honest, I’m not confident about dealing with him. If he were an enemy, then I would just say GG. You’re here with me—yes, but I’m still not confident if we stand a chance against him because our cards are basically useless against him. It’s impossible to defeat him without a thorough plan,” explained Lee Ji-Hye.
I thought the same. Honestly, there was no way I would be able to dodge a dagger suddenly flying toward me.
“We live in a world where today’s friends can be tomorrow’s enemies. I’m sure it won’t happen, but if Hyun-Sung oppa tries to push you away, then you won’t be able to do anything about it. I know he’s a kind and naive person, and he’s not the type to do something stupid as well. I realized it when I saw him after the tutorial dungeon. I understand why you trust Hyun-Sung oppa, but greed can change a person, so you two could split up in the future,” she continued.
“I’m not sure about us splitting up, but is this really the time to say something like that?” I asked.
“I’m telling you this because of our current situation. I’m just suggesting that we prepare while we still can because it’ll be too late if we do it later. I’m sorry for saying useless things, but that thought suddenly came into my mind. I’m just really nervous. I finally understand the cliche of people trying to purge the warriors who had completed their adventure. A sharp sword is dangerous, you know,” she replied.
“That won’t happen,” I told her.
“Can you guarantee it? You easily get suspicious of people, after all,” she asked.
“...”
“By the way, I’m not saying this for my own benefit. I’m genuinely worried. I’m definitely not trying to get rid of my man’s rival so that he can get first place. It’s true that I’m kind of greedy, but I’m definitely not a psychopath. I just want to get a clear answer. I just want to know if we will be able to handle him on the off chance that he becomes an enemy. I also want to know if there’s a way to control him,” she added.
At that, I started thinking…
‘Not for my own benefit, my ass!’
Lee Ji-Hye’s nature was Selfish and Ambitious, so I didn’t believe her at all when she said that she said those words out of pure concern. I was sure she disliked the fact that someone was strong enough to keep me in check. This war would eventually end, and peace would eventually return to the continent.
I had no idea if we would still have something to do by then, but Lee Ji-Hye had no idea that Kim Hyun-Sung was a regressor, so she was definitely thinking about something like this ‘the war is basically over, all that remains is splitting the spoils.’
In that sense, Kim Hyun-Sung was in a strange position. After all, he was just the Guild Master of the Blue Guild up until now. Everyone had been looking at him as if he were just an ordinary guild master rather than an extremely powerful individual. But after his recent performance, everyone would start looking at him in a different light.
I could still remember the saying ‘with great power comes great responsibility,’ but I didn’t completely agree with it. I believe that ‘with great power comes even greater power’ was a better saying, and if the saying was true, then Kim Hyun-Sung’s power would bring him even more power. Even if it wouldn’t be in the confines of the Sacred Democratic Country, he would likely receive a suitable position elsewhere. After all, he was the Guild Master of the Blue Guild, which was also the guild to which Honorary Cardinal Lee Ki-Young belonged.
This was why Lee Ji-Hye was worried. She wasn’t happy that Kim Hyun-Sung—who was already powerful beyond our control—was bound to become even stronger. With her personality, it would be strange for her to just stand idly by and watch as a person who could possibly backstab us grew even stronger.
I could understand why she was worried because I had thought about it many times as well, but I just couldn’t imagine Kim Hyun-Sung swinging his sword to end me. He could mistake me for the masked scum in his past life, but I had insurance for that. I was confident about getting out of that predicament if it ever happened.
‘Things could work out once the war ends…’
It also didn’t make sense that Kim Hyun-Sung would abandon me for his own greed, and based on the Kim Hyun-Sung I had seen so far, he was definitely not like that. Of course, one would never know when a person would change, but…
‘He will never do that.’
I organized my thoughts and started talking. “We won’t split up.”
“You sure?” she asked, looking at me with doubt.
“Yeah. We won’t split up, so don’t worry, and noona…” I paused.
“Yeah?”
“You know being too greedy isn’t good, right?” I asked.
“I-I didn’t say anything, and I know that. Based on your actions so far, I know better than anyone,” she stammered.
“As you said, it’s true that I’m ambitious, but I know my place and limits very well, and even if Kim Hyun-Sung started hating me, I don’t plan on doing the same. Think of it like this. If someone like him is on our side, what could the enemy do to us?” I asked.
“Hm…”
“If someone like him is on our side… I guarantee that there will be people who would start trembling in fear with just a wave of my finger. Basically, I’m the owner of a switch that would unleash a nuke whenever I want,” I continued.
“Can you guarantee that? There’s no guarantee that he’s thinking the same way, and I’m not being greedy here. I’m just saying that we shouldn’t let others take away what is ours,” she said.
“Ji-Hye noona,” I called out.
“Yes?”
“Do I look like someone who would let others take what’s mine?” I asked.
“...”
“Do I?” I asked.
“No.”
“Our conversation ends here, then. There isn’t any issue, and don’t make comments like that from now on. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in front of me or others. Don’t argue about it, either. If something like that happens, then I’ll take care of it. You know better than I do that there’s no need to create more conflict, considering our current situation. Just thinking about the demon summoner is giving me a headache,” I warned her.
“Alright, so stop looking at me like that. I just said it because I was worried. If you say it won’t be a problem, then I believe you,” Lee Ji-Hye said.
“If you have time to think about useless things, end this battle and organize the troops who will reinforce Castle Rock, noona,” I told her.
“Yeah, yeah. I got it,” she said.
Our conversation ended. Lee Ji-Hye nodded quietly, but the way she pouted made me think that she wasn’t satisfied with our conversation. She could understand it, but it wasn’t to her satisfaction. I was worried that she would do something behind my back, but she wasn’t dumb enough to do things I didn’t tell her to do.
“Don’t do anything stupid, noona,” I warned her.
“I got it already, so stop it. I won’t do anything, but don’t regret it if you get backstabbed later on,” she said.
That was when we heard knocking on the door…
“Speak of the devil,” Lee Ji-Hye remarked.
The visitor was easy to deduce. Lee Ji-Hye ran to the door and opened it slowly, and I saw Kim Hyun-Sung waiting outside quietly.
“Ah! Hyun-Sung oppa!” she greeted.
“I’m sorry for coming here all of a sudden,” Kim Hyun-Sung apologized.
“It’s fine. You did a really good job. You were amazing,” she said.
It was kind of scary how her expression instantly changed. She was even smiling brightly.
‘What a fox...’
Lee Ji-Hye’s attitude changed so fast that I couldn’t believe she was the same person who had just warned me about dealing with Kim Hyun-Sung if he ever became an enemy. If I had to pick a person who was faster at changing attitudes than me, I would definitely pick her.
“I’m sure you’re busy…” Kim Hyun-Sung said.
“Not at all. The battle is about to end anyway, but what brings you here…” she asked.
“I didn’t really have a reason to come… I was just curious about what the situation is like right now,” he answered.
“Ah, okay. Have a seat. Would you like some tea?” she offered.
“No, I’m okay, Miss Ji-Hye,” he replied.
I noticed Kim Hyun-Sung glancing at me as he entered the room while talking to Lee Ji-Hye. He seemed like he was curious about the command room. I had no idea why, but he seemed kind of excited. He was like a child visiting an amusement park. It was especially amusing when he glanced at where I was sitting.
“So this is the place,” Kim Hyun-Sung commented.
“Good job, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I said.
“It’s nothing. You were more amazing than me. Were you controlling things with these?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t say ‘control’. All I did was analyze the information and deliver it—”
“You don’t need to be so modest, Mr. Ki-Young. Your nose even started bleeding. It was the first time I saw his nose bleed, but his hands and eyes never stopped moving. He was staring at the magic hologram the entire time. You should have seen it, Hyun-Sung oppa…” Lee Ji-Hye interrupted.
“Ah…”
I was surprised how Lee Ji-Hye started talking about my performance as if she thought that this was her chance to give me clout. I was kind of embarrassed, but it was a nice assistance because Kim Hyun-Sung suddenly looked at me worriedly.
“I see. Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. I overdid it a little bit, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me. Miss Ji-Hye helped me… a lot as well,” I answered.
“That’s a relief…” he mumbled.
“But you made all the decisions, Mr. Ki-Young. All I did was support you by doing trivial tasks. By the way, what are you holding in your hand?” she asked Kim Hyun-Sung.
“Ah, I almost forgot. I came here to deliver this,” Kim Hyun-Sung answered.
I looked at Lee Ji-Hye, signaling her to look at it, and she nodded slightly in response. Kim Hyun-Sung was holding a very small shield. It was the Legendary shield of the enemy’s named player.
‘Don’t worry, Ji-Hye. What you said definitely won’t happen.’
I started smiling upon seeing it.
‘I have never doubted you, Hyun-Sung.’