Chapter 452: Our Hyunsung (4) |
“No. I have to take you back to your home, or I won’t feel at ease,” Kim Hyun-Sung declined.
‘Shit.’
I glanced at him and saw not a single hint of indecent thoughts on his handsome face. I was getting worried that he had other ideas, but I didn’t really have to worry because he was a gentleman who had been acknowledged by a unicorn.
I was sure that he was simply worried that I might fall into danger on my way back home. I considered if it would be fine for me to accept his offer, but in my eyes, it would be best if we were to end things here.
‘I mean, at the end of the day, he’s still a man.’
It wouldn’t be strange if something happened between us. I had just realized it, but all of this was strange. A man and a woman with a strange bond toward each other met coincidentally and got drunk together. A normal man and a normal woman would have immediately headed for the Rift Inn, but we had no plans on doing that.
For me, the most pressing issue here was…
‘How long do I have until the effect wears off?’
The spell that the fairy had cast on me was slowly wearing off, and it was a huge problem. The duration of the fairy’s spell was only three days, and today happened to be the third day, so I had to be really careful.
‘I’m sure it’s going to last a bit longer...’
Light Ki-Young’s magic resistance was low, so it should last a bit longer. However, I couldn’t guarantee it, so I had to leave as soon as possible.
“I told you, I’m really okay,” I said.
I had to come back to my senses. My thoughts were smooth, but my speech was slurred, so I definitely looked like a drunk woman.
Kim Hyun-Sung still looked worried. I looked to the side and saw empty liquor bottles.
The atmosphere was nice, and the alcohol was delicious today, but I had no idea that we had already drunk so many bottles of liquor.
Of course, I immediately realized that it would actually be strange if I wasn’t drunk. I had just returned from an expedition. It wasn’t a tough one, but I still worked hard for three days straight, so I was physically exhausted.
I was tired, but instead of resting, I went straight to drinking, so it was only natural that I felt like passing out right now. Kim Hyun-Sung was dense and slow-witted, but he could see that I was drunk, so it was only natural for him to get worried.
I pushed my bag further into my robe and looked at him.
“I think we should head out. Where are you staying for the night?” he asked.
“I-I haven’t found a place yet because I met you before I found a place. I think the Rift Inn has a lot of rooms, so I can just go there,” I replied.
“In that case…” he paused.
“Yes?”
“How about coming to a branch office of the Blue Guild? I’m not sure if you’ll like it, but I’m sure it’ll be better than the rooms at the Rift Inn,” he offered.
‘Stop being nice for no reason, man.’
“No, that’s a bit… I already caused you a lot of trouble, and I don’t want to burden you even more. You even bought me delicious food, so I’m a bit embarrassed to rely on you more, Mr. Hyun-Sung,” I declined.
“It’s fine,” he said.
“I feel bad…” I commented.
“It’s really okay,” he insisted.
“I’m okay as well,” I said.
‘Why is he so determined?’
I suddenly became filled with anxiety. I wanted to run away, but I couldn’t. Wait…
‘He probably won’t just stand by even if I insisted on refusing his offer.’
I was sure that he would check on me because he was just that kind of person. It might actually be better if I just told him to accompany me, and even though it could be dangerous, this was one of the better choices.
I stood up. I thought I would instantly fall back down because my surroundings were spinning, but I managed to maintain my balance by holding on to our table.
Kim Hyun-Sung flinched at the sight.
“You’re really drunk.” Kim Hyun-Sung pointed out.
“Then… please take me to the nearest inn,” I requested.
‘Don’t smile like that, Hyun-Sung. I might fall for you.’
“Okay.”
It was already dark outside the restaurant, and the stars in the sky caused me to sigh. I was kind of surprised because this background was enough to create a certain mood, but I continued walking without saying anything.
“There are a lot of stars today,” Kim Hyun-Sung commented.
“You’re right. Ha…” I sighed.
“Are you alright?” he asked.
“I’m a bit dizzy, but I’m fine. I’m sorry about this. I feel like I’m causing you trouble,” I apologized.
“You really don’t have to worry. You helped me get rid of my frustration, so think of this as me repaying you that debt,” he replied.
“I didn’t do anything. If you had asked anyone else around you, I’m sure they would’ve told you the same thing. I’m a bit embarrassed to hear you praise me when I didn’t really do much,” I said.
“...”
I maintained a slightly cold expression. I had no idea if it were because of the orange street lights, but Kim Hyun-Sung looked like he was blushing.
‘I’m having a hard time walking… I overdid it. Shit… Ki-Yeon, why did you do that? Why did you have fun without thinking about the possible consequences?’
It had been a while since I drank with my little brother, so I ended up drinking a lot without thinking of the consequences. I was having a hard time walking, so I felt relieved that I had accepted his offer.
I was walking as fast as I could, but I felt like I wasn’t moving at all.
I started staggering as well.
Rift Land’s security was great, but it still wouldn’t be a good idea for a woman to walk alone at night because Rift Land was filled with powerful players who could kill large monsters in a single blow.
When I recalled how people often get into trouble while walking alone, I was even more convinced that I would have gotten into trouble if I were alone here.
I finally understood Kim Hyun-Sung’s thoughts and why he insisted on staying by my side. Actually, he still looked worried even as we were walking slowly together while talking to each other.
Kim Hyun-Sung looked like he couldn’t decide whether he should lend me his shoulder or carry me on his back. He also seemed like he was worried that I wouldn’t like it if he touched my hand.
‘He’s really a dummy.’
I knew he was maintaining his distance to prevent unintentional physical contact, but this was a bit much. If I were actually a woman, I would have actually been frustrated by his kindness.
‘Have some confidence, man! Grab her hand! Put your arms around her! Just do it, but do it quietly! Do it, man!’
Of course, I wasn’t really expecting to be in that kind of situation.
I was relieved that he was doing his best to avoid unnecessary physical contact, but I couldn’t help but start thinking that he was pitiful.
He looked prepared to catch me in case I fainted, but his awkward movements made him look like he had no dating experience rather than making him look like he had good manners.
Kim Hyun-Sung’s actions slowed us down, and it felt like it was going to take forever to reach the Rift Inn.
All of a sudden, I felt strange.
‘Why is it so hot?’
I had no idea why, but my body was getting hot. I was already exhausted, so the heat was making me feel even more exhausted. The sudden onset of this abnormal condition surprised me, and I broke out into a cold sweat as well.
‘The spell…!’
There was a chance that the disguise spell was wearing off—no, I was sure that I was about to revert to my original body. It was evidenced by how I could feel mana burning within me.
I felt like everything would fall apart the moment I put my guard down.
My breathing started to get rough and uneven. I was walking confidently, but I couldn’t hide my condition. The Rift Inn was still a bit distant from here, and Kim Hyun-Sung looked like he was protecting me.
Kim Hyun-Sung noticed my heavy breathing, and he looked at me worriedly.
However, I wasn’t really happy to see that he was worried about me.
“Ha…”
“Are you okay?” Kim Hyun-Sung asked.
I didn’t have the energy to reply. I was focused on suppressing the burning mana that was trying to leave my body. I was getting worried because if the spell ended while he was around, it would be the end.
Of course, Kim Hyun-Sung had no idea what was going on, so I couldn’t really blame him for being worried about me.
‘Hurry up and leave, Hyun-Sung.’
“I think I’ll be fine. From here—ah! I can go to the inn on my own,” I told him.
“What? But—”
“We’re already out of the dark alleyway, and we’re on the main road now.” I pointed out.
I sounded like I had to go to the bathroom.
“We’re close, so I’ll escort you the rest of the way. We’re on the main road, but it’s still dangerous here at night,” he said.
“I’m really fine. I’m really…”
‘It’s not going to work. He’s not going to listen.’
He was determined to accompany me. I nervously gulped a mouthful of my own saliva because he wasn’t listening to me at all. The mana that was trying its best to break free was incredibly hard to contain.
I had to talk, walk, and contain the mana. The exertion was making me feel dizzy, and it felt like it would only get difficult from here.
Similar to a hole in a bottle of water, the mana would definitely flow out if I were to stop blocking it.
‘Kim Hyun-Sung… you little…’
A bad idea suddenly popped into my mind. It was a bad idea, but it might drive him away—no, based on his personality, he would definitely be driven away. Dozens of ideas popped into my mind, but before I could organize my thoughts, my lips moved.
“I can go there by myself, Mr. Hyun-Sung. Really. I understand that you’re worried, but I feel really uncomfortable.”
“But—”
“I already said this much, so I think I already made it clear to you. Please go back,” I interrupted him.
“I’ll go with you just a bit further,” he insisted.
“No, I’ll be fine,” I declined.
I tried to look annoyed and even chided him, but as expected, he didn’t notice what I was feeling.
I staggered slightly as if I was going to fall, and he flew to me like a butterfly flying toward a web and grabbed my shoulders to stabilize me.
The naive regressor looked at me with relief, but it didn’t take long for him to be surprised.
Why?
It was all because he finally noticed that I was uncomfortable.
“I’m—” Kim Hyun-Sung was about to apologize.
However, I interrupted him. “I’m… not that kind of woman, Guild Master of Blue.”
‘I’m sorry, Hyun-Sung…’
“Excuse me?” he asked.
‘I’m really sorry…’
“I’m not that kind of woman. You’ve been pretty open about your intentions for quite a while now,” I continued.
I had done many scummy things in the past, so what I said didn’t really hurt my conscience. However, the look of confusion on Kim Hyun-Sung’s face really broke my heart.
‘I’m sorry…’
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