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Chapter 561: Spreading Seeds (1)

“…”

“You know why I’m being like this, right?”

“Y-Yes. O-of course… Of course, I know. I know for sure.”

“It’s been busy so far, but it’ll become even busier in the future. We can’t repeat what happened with the 27th Corps.”

“Yes… F-For sure…we can’t let that happen.”

“I also really want to be next to you every day, but I think it will be more helpful not to see each other until you’ve made some progress. We have to be prepared and move again. If we don’t do that, it’ll only get harder. It’s going to be difficult for the both of us… but you understand, right?”

“…”

“…”

Her body was visibly shaking.

I also grew nervous. It felt like it had been such a long time since she entered her half-crazed state. I had already made a diagnosis of Jung Hayan, but she could always act unpredictably.

However, perhaps, if it was the current Jung Hayan…

“I-I, I understand… Yes. I’ll try to under…stand.”

I looked at Hayan again, and she looked as if she was trying to stop her tears from falling desperately. She was putting as much strength as she could in her eyes to stop her tears while clutching her fists tightly. She trembled as if she was a phone buzzing as well.

She seemed as if she was trying to keep calm, but her flinches kept making me feel nervous.

‘Saying that I’m getting a 7-year itch won’t be such a bad idea either…’

However, I didn’t want to give her too much damage right at the beginning. Just saying that ‘it might be hard for us to meet each other’ was enough to cause a huge effect on her.

Although it was a necessary emotion for Jung Hayan’s growth, it made me nervous about the possibility that, if I gave her such big damage like a breakup, she might start causing havoc.

I didn’t think it would be likely, but I was worried that she might make the same choice as she did in the First Timeline in the tower…

Even saying ‘let’s not meet for a while’ was enough to set her off.

It was much safer to loosen the leash slowly than to release it all at once. If I mentioned that I was having a burnout or a 7-year itch, I couldn’t imagine what would happen…

Everything could be ruined.

I had to make sure that all of Hayan’s anger would be directed towards the demons and the enemies against humanity.

“B-Bu-But…”

“I think I might head north as early as this week.”

“What? This week?”

“Yes, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance. It was decided so suddenly, and I didn’t know either…The construction of the forward base is going to begin tomorrow. I have a plan, but I think I should at least take a look around the country. Many people are confused there, and I have to be the one to reassure them. I might be helpful.”

“I can study there, too… I can even teleport. It could be m-more… more comfortable for you.”

“But you have work to do here.”

“Yes. I-I have w-work to do here. But… C-can I see you sometimes? Even for just a moment…”

“Well, for now, I would like for you to stay in Lindel until I contact you.”

“That… That’s too…”

‘Yes, it’s cruel.’

Even I thought it was pretty harsh.

Of course, it didn’t seem like a big deal in ordinary circumstances, but considering the things that happened to Jung Hayan, I felt a bit sorry for her. I didn’t think that Hayan would be nervous about being abandoned by me anymore, but I was sure that she was still very anxious about it.

Sure enough, tears were falling, and she looked very pitiful.

Jung Hayan rushed in and hugged me very tightly when I opened my arms. She held onto me so hard I could feel my bones crunch, but I continued to gently stroke her hair.

She cried so intensely that it felt as if I was going to the military or going abroad to study instead of doing my work.

‘The timing’s good.’

I was going to move north anyway, and it wasn’t like I could just bring her along.

Of course, it would be convenient to take her with me, but other than the transportation, everything else was inconvenient.

It was helpful for both her and me to plant the seeds and just wait for her to grow. I tried to push Hayan away gently, but as expected, she didn’t budge.

“Everyone is working hard, so cheer up, Hayan.”

‘At least we saw each other once a week.’

“Sniff… yes.”

“If you need anything, make sure to ask team leader Kim Mi-young, and I will send you letters or videos. Don’t be so upset.”

“Ugh… Ugh… Ugh… *sob*… Okay…”

“I also don’t want to move away, Hayan. But I have no choice.”

“*Sob*… I know… Then, w-when can I see you?”

“When I’m roughly done with all my work…”

“I see.”

“When your training is over.”

“W-When will my training be over?”

“You’ll be able to judge for yourself. You know that too, right?”

“Yes… Yes… *sob*.”

“You don’t have to escort me. I have to go to the tower quickly.”

“Still…”

“It’s okay. I’ll take you there.”

“Ughhh…”

‘But you’re holding it in. That’s amazing. Really amazing.’

Even if I didn’t point it out, I was certain she was also feeling worried about her growth. She didn’t seem nervous, but she must’ve also realized that she had stagnated lately.

The exact cause was unknown, but she might have also thought that changes in the environment were necessary. I hoped she thought all of that was because of the outer god or something. That way, Jung Hayan would be extremely motivated to hasten her growth.

‘Maybe…’

The first step was for her to be obsessed with the idea of growing until she thought I was satisfied. The second was for her to concentrate all her efforts on studying. If that ignited Jung Hayan’s growth…

‘It would be great, but…’

I didn’t think that she would grow with just a few words like that when I tried so hard to tempt her before. I bet she felt as frustrated for being blocked by a big wall.

I was certain that she thought, ‘since I studied this before, I might be able to finish my studies and grow my stats after a bit, and then I’ll be able to see Kiyoung faster…’

A month or two would then pass without much progress. Wouldn’t anyone be nervous in a situation like that?

I knew her pent-up irritation would begin to come up, and she would try to find the cause for her stagnant growth externally. And in the meantime, she might begin to grow angrier and more frustrated at how she couldn’t see me and think she had to think of new solutions just like every other time.

‘I’m a little nervous about finishing it like this…’

I would’ve liked to check and care for Jung Hayan’s growth personally, but unfortunately, I would be too busy to do that.

“I-I will k-keep in touch.”

“Yeah. Go back in, Hayan.”

“Yes… Okay…”

“Send videos periodically.”

“Yes, I will. I will definitely, for sure… I w-will d-definitely send them.” And from there, she bit back a sob.

It wasn’t only Jung Hayan that needed her personal time.

It was a struggle to break away from Jung Hayan, who refused to let me go. I could only go back to pack my luggage after half-forcing her into the tower. It was hard to move away because I kept hearing her sobbing voice, but it was entirely necessary.

When I returned to the guild, the Blue Guild welcomed me. It felt empty. No, it really was empty. Kim Hyunsung and Cho Hyejin had been dispatched due to the joint continental training.

Since there weren’t many people in the first place in the Blue Guild, it became obvious when people were missing. When I was about to come into the entrance, I saw Park Deokgu and Ahn Ki-mo coming out.

They came out with huge luggage as if they were going on an expedition. I was about to ask them what was up with all that, but Park Deokgu spoke first.

“Oh, hyung-nim, are we going north now?”

“Are you going to follow me?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Then what?”

“I just feel like I’m stuck.”

“Are you going out on an expedition? I don’t think a dungeon was reported… You’re just going with Ki-mo? Did you apply for support from the top three guilds? Are the Red Mercenary and Black Swans able to afford it?”

“No, it’s not like that… It’s not like an expedition. I’m just going to travel around the world.”

‘What the hell are you saying? Do you know how critical the situation right now is?’

“I know what you’re worried about, but I’m not going out to play, so don’t worry. I’m going out to travel around the world because I’m starting to see my limit here. I think I feel too safe here. As you said earlier… I can feel that I just lived in a safe bubble under you and Hayan-nunim, so…”

“…”

“I know it might sound laughable to you, but to put it grandiosely, I’m traveling to go one step higher. Hyunsung-nim has been paying attention to the joint training, Hayan-nunim is at the tower, and you’re leaving for the North soon… If I think of it like that… I think this is the perfect time for me to do so as well…”

“…”

“I’m not the same useless younger brother back in the day. Please don’t worry about me too much.”

“…”

“…”

“I’m not worried. Well, I don’t know nearly enough to comment on your problems… First of all, well, have a safe trip. Don’t forget even if I do.”

“I can do better. No, it’s been engraved in my heart for a long time. You don’t need to continue.”

“Well, Ki-mo, have a safe trip too.”

“Hahaha, yes, Vice Guild Master. I’ll come back as soon as I’ve achieved some results. Let’s go, Deokgu.”

‘Everyone is working so hard.’

I didn’t have to spoon-feed them anymore. They all knew how to improve themselves, but of course, I couldn’t help but be worried about them.

But that was…

‘Not bad either.’

It was good to let him go. In Park Deokgu’s case, there wasn’t much I could do to help him improve anyway. It was better to let him make the best decision for himself.

However, I did feel a little disheartened that everyone was scattering apart.