Chapter 62

# 62

User Manual for the Reincarnated 062

Dungeon Strategy is Politics (4)

Taking care of the people is not a difficult task.

It’s not much different from what the high-ups on Earth do. Just take a quick look around the market and make people feel close, and that’s it.

Of course, my situation is different.

I can’t say I’m above them.

Still, it’s not entirely ineffective.

I chat during short breaks and take care of things whenever we set up camp.

During expeditions, I don’t forget to show a serious demeanor.

Even so, the Magic Guild members, especially Jung Hyeon, felt an unusual fondness for me, and the Red Mercenary party members also had a good impression of me.

Just a little chat can have an effect.

Of course, managing the Magic Guild party members separately from Jung Hyeon is essential.

The more positive public opinion on my side, the better.

“Hahaha. It seems the efficiency of this potion is almost on par with holy magic, Mr. Gi-yeong.”

“Thank you for the compliment. I’d be embarrassed if the priests heard it.”

“In fact, it doesn’t seem like the magical firepower is lagging behind either. How….”

“I feel very flattered by the Magic Guild’s words.”

“No, no. It’s not just a formality. I feel that you’re not much different from an ordinary mage.”

“Of course, there are some disadvantages, like it taking a bit longer to cast spells or needing to use a magic formation. But with a good catalyst, you can use efficient magic.”

“By efficiency, you mean….”

“You can complete spells with good firepower using less mana.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Of course, there are some drawbacks. The cost of the catalyst needed to cast spells is quite high.”

“Do you know how much it costs?”

“About 30 gold. It mainly uses the essence of mana.”

“Ah! The essence of mana.”

“Yes. The cost of the essence needed for low-level magic is 30 gold.”

I can see a slightly surprised look on his face.

More like a bit of frustration.

After all, it means that 30 gold is deducted every time a spell is cast, so such a reaction is understandable.

Of course, ordinary-grade essence of mana is piled up in the warehouse. There are still many left from the gifts Chae-hee gave me.

“Certainly, it can’t be called efficient. Then, does a rare-grade essence of mana disappear after one use?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

“If there were an essence that could extract unlimited mana, it would be called the Philosopher’s Stone.”

“The Philosopher’s Stone. Ah… the Philosopher’s Stone….”

These topics are what drive mages crazy.

“Is it possible to create one?”

“It’s only briefly mentioned in the books I’m studying. The research hasn’t even properly started yet. I’m still lacking in many areas to study it properly. But I will definitely create one someday.”

‘Philosopher’s Stone, my ass.’

“If the research starts, would you….”

“Yes, of course. This is also a matter of fate.”

A typical mage is this kind of person.

If they have an interest in alchemy, it’s natural for them to want to talk to me.

This way, I got quite close to the last member of the Magic Guild.

Anyway, the dungeon strategy of this expedition was proceeding smoothly, and our party was blending in well with the others.

I don’t know if Kim Hyun-sung knows what I’m thinking, but he’s definitely getting something out of it.

Bak Deok-gu was entering the tankers’ community and extracting various tips, and Kim Ye-ri also adapted quite well.

Of course, she hasn’t yet shown her full potential, but the little girl with the ponytail was silently and steadily drawing her bow.

Sung Hee-young, with her outstanding stats, didn’t seem to have any trouble adapting, and I didn’t show any particularly bad behavior either.

After all, shooting magic with Jung Hyeon made it less noticeable.

Kim Hyun-sung, our fox, seemed to be holding back.

Given that he’s not the type to hide his strength, it’s more accurate to say he’s waiting for the right moment to move.

The expedition’s strategy was proceeding smoothly.

“Then, I’ll go take care of some business.”

“Yes. It seems we’ll be staying here tonight. If you have time, could you explain the Philosopher’s Stone in more detail?”

“Yes, of course.”

To take care of business, I slightly moved away from the expedition’s location and reached the safe point.

‘Of course.’

Jung Yura was quietly approaching.

I thought she would act soon, but it’s a bit faster than I expected.

“Thought you came to gain experience, but it seems you came to build relationships?”

She asked quite directly, which made me a bit flustered.

‘Was I that annoying?’

Maybe that’s how it looked.

After all, I was busy chatting and swaying public opinion during breaks.

If she thought I was a kindred spirit, it’s understandable that she felt politically threatened.

I had successfully given everyone a good impression early in the expedition.

“Hahaha. Your words are sharp, Ms. Yura.”

“Well, it seems you’re overdoing it, Mr. Gi-yeong.”

“I don’t quite understand what you mean. Building camaraderie for teamwork is natural, isn’t it? We didn’t spend much time together beforehand.”

“It’s just that you’re overdoing it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you’re even ruining the necessary tension. Showing too much ease isn’t good.”

“I thought I was maintaining a balance that wouldn’t hinder the dungeon strategy… After all, everything is proceeding smoothly, isn’t it? Our side’s warrior, who made a mistake at first, is adapting well, and everyone else is also in a good mood. I don’t see what the problem is.”

That’s the truth.

“Mr. Gi-yeong.”

“Yes, Ms. Yura?”

“You’ve only been here for a short time, but… A dungeon is a place where you never know what threats might arise. Even during breaks, don’t you realize that you’re affecting the atmosphere?”

“No, I don’t. I think I’m helping the party. The atmosphere has improved since the beginning. Just because you’re frowning doesn’t mean everyone else should. Of course, I understand the need for some tension. I’ve been serious during the expedition… I don’t understand what you’re upset about.”

Her face turned red as she smiled.

The words are the truth.

But the way she subtly provoked me was quite amusing.

I must have a face that’s good at provocation.

“You’re not worried about the influence within the party… and you’re not greedy for the items that will be rewarded for the dungeon strategy… I don’t understand why you’re so eager to eat us up. Of course, if it’s a rare item, it’s natural to want to try it out… But I don’t think someone like you, who’s being pushed by the Black Swan Guild, would have such greed.”

Her heart must be aching.

“Even if a hero-grade item might appear… Still, isn’t it a bit cheap to fight over good equipment? I would rather give it up. Why are you so intensely involved in politics…? If I’m mistaken, I’m really sorry.”

Her face was very red.

Of course, if a hero-grade item appeared, I would be tempted, but it’s easy to pretend I’m not a materialist.

“Did I hit a nerve….”

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Am I funny?”

“No, not at all. You’re not funny at all. You’re Jung Yura of the Black Swan Guild. But….”

“…”

“Why are you speaking informally? Huh?”

She looked taken aback by the sudden change.

There’s no one around to hear or see us.

“I’m a registered member of the Blue Guild’s official party. You shouldn’t act like this, Ms. Yura.”

“Huh… So you’re Chae-hee’s pillar, but you don’t see anything here? Do you think the Queen of Mercenaries can protect you here?”

“Your words sound like a threat, Ms. Yura. You should be careful with your words. And I trust Hyun-nim, not Chae-hee.”

“What?”

She took a slight breath.

It seemed she was waiting for what I would say next, but I had no intention of starting a pointless fight.

It’s something to avoid, as it would damage my image.

Instead, I spoke to her in a slightly louder voice.

“I’m sorry!”

“What?”

Loud enough for the expedition team, which was a bit far away, to hear.

“You… What are you doing….”

“I’m really sorry!”

I apologized again, loudly and sincerely, and saw a very flustered look on her face.

Of course, such a reaction was natural.

It was an unexpected voice at an unexpected time.

But it seemed she had a sense of why I was sincerely apologizing.

Her face crumpled.

“What’s going on?”

Sure enough, Choi Young-gi and his friends came running.

Even the Magic Guild members I had just talked to started to notice.

Of course, Jung Hyeon, Sung Hee-young, and the Black Swan Guild members were also there.

“I’m really sorry, Ms. Yura.”

“You….”

“Mr. Gi-yeong? What’s going on?”

“No… nothing. It’s nothing.”

“Yes… it’s nothing. Mr. Choi Young-gi.”

‘Nothing, my ass….’

“I didn’t ask Ms. Yura. Mr. Gi-yeong, can you explain what’s going on?”

Thankfully, the very lovely Red Mercenary, Choi Young-gi, started to ask questions.

Jung Hyeon looked bewildered, but she seemed a bit angry at the sight of me as the victim.

‘Why is Sung Hee-young like that?’

Sung Hee-young was the same.

Playing the victim is very easy.

Especially in a situation where the power difference is clear.

“What’s going on, Mr. Gi-yeong?”

“It’s….”

“…”

“Nothing. She just told me to be more cautious and pay attention.”

“Huh?”

“It seems she didn’t like me chatting with everyone during breaks… I guess I was letting my guard down. She said I was affecting the atmosphere….”

“Huh?”

“I was trying to improve the atmosphere, but it seems you didn’t like it.”

It’s the truth, with no lies.

Jung Yura’s bewildered look was almost comical.

Her face was pale.

With the pure truth revealed, everyone looked flabbergasted.

Choi Young-gi of the Red Mercenary, the Magic Guild, and even Kim Hyun-sung were giving her a slightly heavy look.

“Sorry….”

Just as I was about to apologize again,

“No need to apologize, Mr. Gi-yeong.”

It was my lovely younger brother, Kim Hyun-sung, who stopped me.

‘Is he angry?’