Chapter 145
An awkward silence hung in the air.
They merely blinked at each other, no one reacting first. Because of this, Yor, who had waved, felt unnecessarily awkward. He could understand their reaction, though.
From their perspective, it was a little perplexing.
They had left him behind in the Cave, citing danger, but now they were suddenly meeting him here in the Hunting Ground.
What's more, Shin Hanbyeol, who had been seen frequently lately, was right beside him. Chaerin glanced between the two for a moment, then asked Yor.
“How did you end up here? I thought you were going back before the berserk state.” “I just came to hang out because I was bored.” “No, who *comes* here to hang out just because they’re bored?”
Chaerin wore an incredulous expression at his answer. Yor watched her, then quietly mumbled.
“But I wanted to see the Imps too.”
A determined spirit will overcome any obstacle. He preferred moving around to staying cooped up in the Cave.
Of course, Yor added, knowing it probably wasn't the answer she wanted.
“...And I wanted to see you all too.”
This was also true. The main way he spent time in the Cave was with them in “19+ Mode”. It seems his libido has definitely increased lately. His lower body reacts constantly. Anyway, he was flirting with them because of that... but unfortunately, they just shivered.
It wasn't a reaction of goosebumps. It was a reaction as if they were genuinely afraid of something. Only Shin Hanbyeol wore a displeased expression. Yor thought to himself.
*Did I say something that bad?*
He felt a little hurt... Fortunately, that awkward moment didn't last long. Haneul asked a question next.
“How did you two end up coming together?” “I don’t exactly know the way. It’s not like I can just ask someone like you guys. But she happened to stop by my house, so I followed her.” “Ah-ha...”
Indeed, it would have been awkward to come alone. Unlike them, NPCs don't have a Community they can directly ask. Of course, a Coachman usually knows the way, but one could easily get ripped off. So, they usually bring Users like themselves along for journeys.
Up to this point, it was understandable. However, there was one particular phrase that grated on her ears. “She suddenly stopped by Yor’s House” — that sounded like there was some ulterior motive. Even though he was an NPC, it wasn't pleasant to have another woman flirting around him.
Therefore, Haneul, with a dry smile, said to Hanbyeol.
“Thank you for bringing him. You must have been busy moving around alone. I’m indebted to you.”
“No, I wasn’t bored either.”
“Then, since you’re busy, we’ll guide Yor now. As the 1st Rank, you must be busy leveling up, so you should go hunting quickly.”
Although the words were polite, they meant “go now.” Hanbyeol wasn't a fool, so she could sense the barbs in the words. Of course, that didn't mean Hanbyeol was soft enough to back down easily.
“No, I brought him all the way here. I’ll guide him too. I was also thinking of finding a Party anyway.”
“Won’t you lose experience if you’re together?”
“Oh, everywhere is a Monster-infested Area, what’s there to worry about? Shouldn’t you be Leveling Up quickly? Honestly... there’s quite a big difference, isn’t there?”
[Why’s the mood like this?]
[I’m so awkward... and something’s scary...]
[Ugh... f*ck, I wanna hear "I missed you" too]
[I missed you]
[I missed you]
[Not you guys, you bastards]
Sparks seemed to fly between their eyes. For now, since they were broadcasting, they seemed to be polite to each other, but it felt like there were hidden blades within. Yor sighed inwardly.
*“They were like this last time we met too...”*
Maybe their personalities just didn't match. They would snarl at each other just by looking. He thought, *“Should I stop them...?”* but it wasn’t easy to act on. After all, this conflict arose because he was caught in the middle. If he stepped in to mediate directly, it would probably just make the atmosphere even stranger.
Fortunately, however, that situation didn't last long.
“Ah! Perfect timing.”
Chaerin shyly smiled and offered a suggestion.
“Since this is fate, why don’t we form a Party together?”
*
It was a spur-of-the-moment suggestion, but fortunately, no one objected. In fact, there was no particular reason to object. Rather than having a war of nerves over who would guide one NPC, it was better to go together, even if it was a bit uncomfortable. And from a broadcasting perspective, this wasn't a bad opportunity.
Yu Chaerin and Shin Hanbyeol were both famous Streamers.
Collaborations are usually good. They add novelty to consistent broadcasts and open up another stepping stone for growth by exchanging Viewers. Moreover, with Yor beside them, an NPC who was practically a view-counter duplicator, it was natural for Viewers to flock.
This combination is fresh afOMG The Imps won’t stand a chance, dude So when do Yor’s clothes get torn? Why aren’t they torn? Ugh, is your brain in your crotch? Stop looking for that!!!
Still, contrary to their concerns, the Hunting itself went smoothly. After all, everyone was at a level that wouldn't fall behind anywhere. Not to mention Yor and Hanbyeol, Chaerin and Haneul were also considered quite high-level among Users.
Although Haneul’s combat power was the lowest, she was originally a Mage who specialized in Support Magic. Rather, she shone the brightest in this kind of Party Play.
“...This is comfortable?”
The person who felt the biggest immediate difference was none other than Shin Hanbyeol.
As someone who usually played solo, she never received Buffs from others, so the difference was particularly noticeable. Of course, she didn’t explicitly say it aloud. They weren’t close enough to exchange compliments.
Anyway, the Hunting continued in that manner. Indeed, there were many, many Imps. It was as if their claim of occupying the former Ruryeon Kingdom wasn’t a lie; there was no end to them, no matter how many they caught.
Still, it wasn’t as if the Demons had gotten their “72” rank for free. Not a single one stronger than the 72 Demons was seen, though.
It was after catching dozens of them. Yor suddenly became curious and asked Chaerin.
“Ah, now that I think about it, do we also Level Up if we catch Monsters?”
It was such an obvious question that he wondered why he hadn’t asked it until now. “We” here referred to Gaians in general, those who, unlike Otherworlders, did not receive the blessings of the System Window.
“Hmm... I don’t know for sure since there’s no way to measure it, but probably? Seeing as there are n... Gaians who suddenly become stronger after a big battle.”
Chaerin almost unconsciously called them NPCs, but quickly corrected herself.
Because they didn’t particularly like being called NPCs directly to their faces. Truly... when she had to be careful about such small things, it made her think that these NPCs here were truly like real people.
Yor listened to her explanation and nodded appropriately.
Honestly, it wasn’t a very clear answer.
“Isn”t that just getting stronger by gaining Practical Experience...?’
From his perspective, it was natural for one’s Skill to increase after a big battle. There’s no experience as intense as Practical Experience, and if you survive it, it’s natural to gain something.
*“Wait... now that I think about it, Leveling Up wouldn”t be any different.’*
As Yor thought that, he realized that the underlying principle for Otherworlders probably wasn’t any different either. Only the degree of growth varied.
“······.”
Many thoughts came to mind, but it was good information nonetheless. They continued Hunting in that way. In between, interacting appropriately with other Otherworlders.
“As expected of a popular Hunting Ground, there are many other people.” “It seems we’ve caught almost all the Imps here. Shall we go further inside?” “Further than this? I haven’t been that far inside yet, so I’m a bit hesitant...” “That’s why we should go. With a Party like this, when else would we get to go deep inside?” “Indeed, that’s true.”
It was when they had gone a certain distance deeper.
“Huh...?”
Suddenly, something strange caught the corner of Yor’s Companions’ vision. It was a person wearing a thick robe.
Up to this point, there was nothing special, but the problem was that the Imps around him weren’t attacking him at all. Imps usually attacked any ordinary person they saw. Feeling something strange, the Companions exchanged glances.
“...What is it?”
“It’s a person, right?”
“Judging by the form, it looks like a person... is it Lemegeton?”
Whatever it was, it definitely looked strange. Yor, who had been looking beyond for a moment, soon turned back to his Companions and said.
“Let’s follow him.”
The Companions nodded.