CHAPTER 135

It has been a while since I’ve had hot tea.

Tea drinking was like a ritual of serenity, meant to be savored slowly with patient sips. By all accounts, it wasn’t suitable for someone like Jae-Hyeok—who, having grown bored to the point of discomfort, grabbed his teacup and downed it in three gulps, ignoring the scalding pain entirely.

Hae-Rin tilted her head.

Although they both carried wounds in their hearts, the lives they’d lived had been different. At the very least, she had grown up being treated as a young lady. It was impossible for her to understand Jae-Hyeok’s discomfort with leisurely activities.

Meanwhile, the old pharmacist had gone through many storms in life and was different. Standing by the doorway, he watched Jae-Hyeok and shook his head. This kid, he doesn’t know how to enjoy anything.

He wasn’t surprised.

The old pharmacist had known Duke Kang for many years and wasn’t ignorant about the state of his children. As a child, Jae-Hyeok had been forced to watch everything and everyone leave, while only he remained to endure others’ hatred and disdain for his family.

How could a child like that have grown up understanding the meaning of ‘leisure’? Who would want to enjoy the moment when the moment was hell and only the future held promise?

A look of pity flashed across the old pharmacist's face. But that was all. He wouldn’t comfort or advise the boy. He knew it wasn’t his place. Young or old, no two lives follow the same path. Although the old pharmacist was old, he hadn’t lived Jae-Hyeok’s experience and was wise enough not to speak in ignorance.

Even the Yaksha isn’t qualified to give advice to this child.

So long as Jae-Hyeok was filial, he had an obligation to regain what the Yaksha had lost. Yet, with the world against him, he would have to rise even higher than the Yaksha to revive his family.

The road ahead will only become more difficult.

This was a child with no lantern to light the way and no family by his side.

Well, it’s good that he joined Lion’s Castle and made a friend. I’m sure Old Hwang is comforted. Still, a friend... it really is hard to believe. The old pharmacist’s eyes flashed as he stroked his goatee. At first, the old pharmacist had thought the black-haired girl across from Jae-Hyeok was like the girls who’d once been toyed with by Kang Dae-Seong: someone whom Jae-Hyeok intended to use as he pleased and then abandon once there was nothing left to gain.

But that didn’t seem to be the case.

The emotion in the girl’s eyes as she looked at Jae-Hyeok was far from infatuation, while Jae-Hyeok’s gaze toward her also wasn’t cold. These two twerps are quite the pair. Every word is as blunt as a club; I can’t tell if they’re trying to beat each other to death, or if they actually mean well.

Just then, Hae-Rin pushed her teacup toward Jae-Hyeok. “Drink this, too.”

It seemed like a kind gesture, but... the tea was still scalding hot, and her monotone made the old pharmacist wonder if she was treating Jae-Hyeok like a sink she could dump her tea in.

...Is she being considerate or not?

Sure enough, Jae-Hyeok scowled. “Do you think I drank it because I liked it?”

The old pharmacist couldn’t bear it and coughed to make his presence known. He came to the table; sat between the scowling Jae-Hyeok and blinking Hae-Rin; and set down a small red wooden box. A spicy, smoky scent filled the air.

Jae-Hyeok couldn’t help recalling the moment when he’d fought the ogre in the burning forest, and his brow furrowed. “What is this?”

“It’s called Burning Evil, an elixir made from the heartwood of the rare white phosphorus tree that only grows in a select few gates. It’s a rare item, very rare. Not only are the ingredients and recipe rare, but it also requires a highly skilled pharmacist to make. There are only a few people in South Korea who can meet this requirement. Kukuk.”

The old man pushed the wooden box to Hae-Rin. “Take it to your father and tell him to chew it slowly and thoroughly. I guarantee his physical condition will become around ten times better than it is now.”

“Really?”

“Do you think I would go to the trouble to trick a little girl?”

“How... how much?” Hae-Rin gulped. In fact, she didn’t know precisely what her father’s illness was, and there was no way she would trust this old man whom she’d only just met today. However, she was still prepared to spend all her savings on this medicine on the off-chance it worked. The Guardian guild would be able to determine the authenticity of the medicine, so even if she was scammed, it wouldn’t hurt her father.

“Stop.” The old man shook his head. “You don’t need to know. The price will be paid once your father becomes well.”

“But... ”

“I’m not a kind person. If I take this opportunity to prove my abilities to the Guardian Guild and strike a deal, it will be a great opportunity for me as well. Remember this, kid: there is no free favor in the world.”

Hae-Rin was convinced by the old man’s explanation and looked at Jae-Hyeok. She vowed to repay the favor she’d received from Jae-Hyeok someday.

Jae-Hyeok stopped looking at the small box. He noticed Hae-Rin’s gaze and shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. In a sense, I’m repaying you.”

“......?”

“You joined my team. Have you forgotten?”

“But that... ” Being in the Seed team was also beneficial to Hae-Rin. She had to join a team anyway, and Jae-Hyeok’s team was the best choice.

It was difficult to describe it as a price. On the contrary, Hae-Rin felt that she was being doubly favored.

Jae-Hyeok shrugged. “If it really bothers you, buy me snacks more often.”

“...Yes.”

Hae-Rin’s emotionless expression was broken for the first time in a long time. It was only a faint smile, but she looked incredibly happy. Her expression was comparable to Jae-Hyeok’s when eating delicious food.

The old pharmacist smiled. He liked their innocence. These two had their difficulties, and there could only be more in the future, yet their hearts remained pure.

***

“Then, I’ll be going.”

Jae-Hyeok bowed respectfully to the pharmacist, who saw them off. It was only natural that he bow. After all, from now on, he would be receiving 1 Community point for every twenty bottles of low-grade potions he provided. The business contract favored Jae-Hyeok greatly. Few would ever agree to buying factory-produced potions with Community points.

Of course, in terms of price, it wasn’t a bad business for the old man either. He wouldn’t be able to make as much money if he sold the points directly.

The real problem is that it’s hard to get points, so few people would want to sell them in the first place.

In any case, the old pharmacist also seemed satisfied.

In fact, what the old pharmacist had really wanted to earn from the deal was Jae-Hyeok’s favor. That kid will only get stronger.Considering that there are few people of such talent in South Korea, he’ll definitely qualify for the Jormungandr raid someday.

Earlier in the reception room, the old pharmacist had had a long conversation with Jae-Hyeok. He explained how, due to the Yaksha’s love for snake wine, he’d had been forced to enter gates, hunting countless snakes to make the Yaksha’s cherished wine. Unfortunately, he had disturbed the incarnation of the serpent god during one of his hunts and fallen under a terrible curse...

Afterward, the old pharmacist went on to describe many of his past experiences with the Yaksha, as he did, the old pharmacist’s mood shifted erratically—sometimes he was calm, sometimes he threw a tantrum, and sometimes he was in tears. But no matter what, the old pharmacist didn’t dare to curse or criticize the Yaksha.

Apparently, Jae-Hyeok liked his father quite a lot.

That damn guy must’ve been kind to his youngest child. If only that guy’s black heart had room enough for the rest of us.

The old man clicked his tongue. Still, he couldn’t help smiling when he returned to the health store’s entrance, turned around, and saw Jae-Hyeok still standing by the gate, waving.

Well, Bastard, at least you did something right.If that child had never known love from you, he wouldn’t even know how to smile.

The old pharmacist’s smile dimmed, and he shook his head as he hung the ‘closed’ sign on the door.

I just hope one day he overcomes the scars and burdens in his heart... It’s really... more than anyone should bear.

***

When they returned to the bustling main road, Hae-Rin’s palms became sweaty. Everywhere she looked, there were families and groups of friends, smiling and laughing.

I can’t let him find out that I’ve never played with anyone before.Jae-Hyeok is quick to notice and will worry about me.

Thinking as much, Hae-Rin took the lead and moved enthusiastically, showing interest in anything and everything as they walked. She pointed this way and that, even letting out an occasional ‘wow’. However, her eyes remained dull like a robot’s.

In fact, Jae-Hyeok had never played with anyone either, but Hae-Rin herself was too inexperienced to tell.

“That side dish looks delicious. Should we buy it?” Hae-Rin suggested.

“The school has a cafeteria,” Jae-Hyeok replied.

“Look at the flowers in the flowerbed.”

“The flowers at school are prettier,” Jae-Hyeok replied.

“Look. It’s an arcade. Um, you can take photos and sing songs there.”

“Oh, but you can do that with your phone,” Jae-Hyeok replied, but then he stopped in place. Eyes flashing, Jae-Hyeok recalled his previous conversation with the old pharmacist and said, “Actually, okay. Let’s go.”

In order to praise Jae-Hyeok, the old pharmacist had contrasted Jae-Hyeok with Kang Dae-Seong several times during their conversation—none of Kang Dae-Seong’s misdeeds were pleasant to the ears, and it occurred to Jae-Hyeok that Hae-Rin might misunderstand his Kang family and spread rumors. Before that happened, he resolved to prove through his actions that the Kang family was upright and sincere, and that Kang Dae-Seong’s behaviour was his own.

Sure, it might feel like a waste of time, but this period is actually a critical opportunity to display my family’s honor and sincerity.

Following this revelation, Jae-Hyeok started responding positively to all of Hae-Rin’s suggestions, doing everything she was interested in.

They ate food from street vendors, visited popular tourist attractions, and experienced all types of games at the arcade. They also stopped by the movie theater and karaoke bar, while not forgetting to do some shopping in between. They then visited restaurants that were famous on social media.

“......”

As a result, by the time Jae-Hyeok came to his senses, he was holding dozens of shopping bags in his hands, and there were nearly three hundred photos on his phone...

What? It was dark before he knew it. The moon was out, and most of the neon signs on the streets were off.

“Almost all the stores are closed,” Hae-Rin said, also coming to her senses.

Her breathing was slightly rough. She’d traveled around the city following Jae-Hyeok’s pace all day, so it was natural for her to be tired even if she was a player.

“Yes. We have to go back, right?”

“T-that’s right. It is a pity, but let’s go back.”

“Yes. We played well.”

“Yes, I think we played normally... no, we definitely played well. We can go home without regrets.”

They originally hadn’t come out to play but...

Hmph. I definitely did a good job, Jae-Hyeok thought.

Hae-Rin thought, I-I think that went well. He seems satisfied, so there’s no need to worry, right?

As they walked toward the gate visible beyond the city, Jae-Hyeok and Hae-Rin’s shoulders simultaneously relaxed.

Meanwhile, several merchants laughed when they saw the backs of the two people.

“That couple is still wandering around.”