Chapter 14

# 14

User Manual for the Reincarnated 014

Embarrassment (2)

"Because my mana isn't moving well."

'What?'

I looked at her expression again, but it was the same as before.

She was smiling as if she didn't know anything, which didn't match the girl who had sniffled just a moment ago.

I looked at her status window again, but it was natural that nothing had changed.

I definitely didn't see it wrong.

[Occupation - Mage - Common Rank]

Jung Hyeon had already obtained an occupation.

'Since when?'

The last time I checked Jung Hyeon's status window was relatively recently, about three days ago.

It was almost the same day she started her unofficial lectures on magic.

Although she didn't show any signs, it's possible she obtained her occupation the moment I subtly mentioned magic.

[Special Ability - How to Become a Mage - Hero Rank]

[Perfectly acquires the basics and fundamental knowledge of magic. Mana Points permanently increase by 2. Potential for growth explosively increases.]

'What is this...?'

The special ability is absurdly bizarre. She must have obtained a Hero Rank special ability related to her occupation as soon as she understood it.

Given the circumstances, that seems to be the case.

Just by accepting the basic knowledge of magic, she obtained an occupation and a new special ability, which is a first for me.

If this were possible for others, Kim Hyun-sung would have chosen this method.

Jung Hyeon is clearly a special case.

As my thoughts dragged on, Jung Hyeon began to look at me with a slightly anxious expression.

"U-Um, big brother?"

"Ah, sorry. I was just thinking about something... You were talking about how to move your mana, right?"

"Y-Yes! Even when I try as you said, it feels too difficult..."

It shouldn't feel difficult.

"Maybe because you have a bit more mana... That's strange."

I saw her hand extend slightly.

I grabbed her slightly raised hand and started to send a weak flow of mana from within me.

I tried to accumulate mana inside her, but Jung Hyeon's mana didn't budge.

It wasn't just sluggish.

'It's being blocked.'

She was intentionally suppressing the movement of her own mana.

Only when I frowned did I feel her mana following the path I had taken.

"Big brother is really amazing."

'She really... '

"Try to imagine it."

"Huh?"

"Imagine casting a spell. A flame rising from your hand... Can you do it like I did earlier?"

"Ah! Yes, yes!"

She perfectly accumulated the required amount of mana.

At this point, imagining a small flame should be an easy task for her.

However, her mana soon collapsed. It wasn't due to the passage of time or failure. Jung Hyeon intentionally made it collapse.

"It's still too difficult, isn't it? Why am I like this... Even though you're teaching me so diligently..."

She even shed tears, which was quite a sight.

'What's going on?'

"Actually, it's normal to fail. Maybe it's because you don't have an occupation yet. You might do better if you go hunting. Right?"

She didn't react even to the word 'occupation' I casually mentioned.

"Can I try one more time?"

"No, it's already this late. Let's stop here for today. I have some things to do as well."

"Unless it's a date... Are you meeting Hye-young today?"

Park Hye-young was a girl assigned by Lee Ji-hye.

After the incident, Lee Ji-hye sent someone who could serve as a link.

I heard she could be useful for various things, but nothing has happened yet.

So far, I've only heard about the group's situation and internal matters through Park Hye-young.

As I was wondering what to say, a voice came from outside.

"Ki-young? Do you have a moment?"

"Ah. Just a moment, please."

'Park Hye-young'

I couldn't tell if this was good timing or bad.

However, the change in Jung Hyeon's expression wasn't significant.

"Ah! You had a prior engagement. I didn't know..."

"No, I don't have a date with Hye-young. It seems she has something to talk about. Can you move aside for a moment?"

"Ah... Yes."

Jung Hyeon slowly got up from her seat, and Park Hye-young entered.

I wondered why she was here, as I didn't recall inviting her.

I could feel Jung Hyeon's gaze on Park Hye-young, tinged with jealousy. I had intended to use her jealousy to some extent, but not like this.

"Hyeon, let's meet again tomorrow."

"Ah! Yes!"

As soon as Jung Hyeon left my sight, Park Hye-young quietly sat down.

"Is there something you need?"

"I have a somewhat interesting story to tell."

"What is it?"

"The next time you go hunting, you'll be taking a few people from this side with you."

"Yes, that's correct."

"If it's okay, can I join as well?"

She was quite direct.

I scanned her with my mental eye, but there were no noticeable abilities or special traits.

[Checking Player Park Hye-young's status window and potential abilities.]

[Name - Park Hye-young]

[Title - None. You need to work harder.]

[Age - 27]

[Trait - Calculating Diplomat]

[Occupation - Unemployed]

[Attributes]

[Strength - 10 / Growth Limit - Hero or below]

[Agility - 11 / Growth Limit - Rare or above]

[Stamina - 20 / Growth Limit - Rare or above]

[Intelligence - 10 / Growth Limit - Rare or above]

[Endurance - 10 / Growth Limit - Common or below]

[Luck - 09 / Growth Limit - Common or below]

[Mana - 00 / Growth Limit - Rare or below]

[Overall Evaluation - This is not the time to say you have no noticeable abilities or special traits. Your overall balance is very well maintained. You have the potential to grow well as a melee or ranged class like an archer.]

Trait: Calculating Diplomat.

Even without reading it in detail, I could guess what kind of trait it was.

After looking at her for a moment, I continued.

"Well, I recommended Hyeon first... "

"Men do prefer younger girls, don't they? I can do better. Isn't a kid like her boring?"

"It doesn't really matter what you think, but it's not for that reason."

"How can it not be? It could be more helpful for us... "

I don't know exactly what our relationship is.

It seems she heard some unnecessary things from Lee Ji-hye, who asked me to help in various ways.

It seems Park Hye-young views me as a lecherous man who is interested in women.

Her abilities are decent, and her potential doesn't seem bad.

If she grows well, she could be helpful, but I don't like her trait of being 'calculating.'

I thought she would understand that if she gives, she will receive.

"Reason?"

"Anyway, you need someone who can fight, right? Thanks to Duk-gu and Ki-young, the situation has changed a bit. Fewer people think Hyun-sung can do something for us. This place is where women can become as strong as men, and there are various systems to enhance existing physical abilities."

"Yes, that's correct."

"Everyone is afraid of monsters, but more people think they can do something. Groups are forming to go out, and if everyone can fight, it won't be a loss for you to have one more ally. If Hyeon comes back with some special power, this trend will accelerate."

"You make it sound like I'm dividing sides."

"Did I hit a nerve?"

"No, I don't really care. Does Ji-hye know you're here?"

"Probably roughly? Who can know what Ji-hye thinks?"

"The reason you came to see me... "

"I thought we could talk. I don't like how you favor Jung Hyeon. If you refuse, I'll have to wait until it's my turn... "

"I understand what you're saying."

"Indeed, we can communicate."

"When Hyun-sung comes back, we'll probably start the operation. I'll try my best to convince him, but if he thinks it's too risky, it might be rejected. Don't get your hopes up too much."

"Even this answer is quite hopeful."

"Then I'll do my best."

"Thank you."

* * *

"Funny. Really."

"Shh. Listen. Kid."

Voices were heard around me, but I didn't really pay attention.

I was more concerned about where big brother Ki-young was.

"Hyeon! What are you thinking about?"

"A-A! Nothing... "

"If you're tired, you can rest. You must be exhausted from the work... Phew. Isn't it tiring to work here?"

"Y-Yes? Y-Yes?"

"Look at you pretending you don't know."

"Stop it."

I couldn't understand exactly what they were saying, but I could feel their hostility towards me.

I wasn't really tired or exhausted. It was a very familiar task.

Thinking back, it had been like this since I was young. Compared to my two older sisters, I was always the foolish one, slow and stupid.

My eldest sister, who always took care of me, and my second sister, who was very smart, probably stopped contacting me because I was stupid.

"Ugh... It stinks."

"Your taste is really unique. Not even pretty... Pretending you don't know... So you're a fox, huh?"

"Shh. Stop it. Listen, kid. Why are you running over here so fast?"

"Go ahead, see what happens. You might be bored already. No, you're definitely bored, right?"

The voice I heard earlier made my hand tremble involuntarily.

'Big brother Ki-young.'

The only person I could rely on here.

Thinking about the time he held my hand made my body shiver involuntarily.

Bored?

Big brother doesn't treat me like that.

It's for a different reason.

'My heart was pounding.'

My heart was definitely pounding as if it would burst.

'You're like a little sister.'

Thinking about the words I heard before gave me a subtle pleasure.

It was a very unfamiliar sensation, something I had never felt before.

My heart was pounding like a hammer, and my legs were involuntarily crossed.

I found it hard to control my emotions.

'Tomorrow, I can see him again.'

Tomorrow, I can see him again.

I can talk to him alone again and receive affection.

I thought I could feel warmth, like when I was with my family in the past.

This is a kind of drug.

I hid the fact that I had obtained an occupation and a special ability because I wanted to spend more time with big brother Ki-young.

The pain in my heart from having to lie was intense, but I was afraid he might not look for me if I didn't do this.

I tried to ignore the voices and looked in the direction where big brother was, just then.

"Oh. Were you waiting for me?"

It was Park Hye-young, who had just been with big brother.