Chapter 75

# 75

User Manual for the Reincarnated 075

Third Job (1)

It’s not bad timing.

Now that things seemed to be settling down, Kim Hyun-sung felt it was the right time to start moving more seriously.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that there were almost no external factors hindering them.

The Red Mercenaries and Black Swan issues were in their final stages, and the matter with Lee Ji-hye was resolved satisfactorily.

"Congratulations on your victory. This is your victory. Lindel will remain peaceful as usual and will be even safer than before. Let's all do our best in our respective positions."

Although this statement was accompanied by the news that Jung Yura had received an apology, it was still difficult to calm the public with just these words.

However, things weren’t entirely unchanged.

The continuous media hype had the public rejoicing in their victory and feeling satisfied.

They were happy that an individual had stood up against the pressure of a large guild and won.

This was also a very satisfying outcome for us.

A few days after my announcement, Black Swan promoted their command restructuring and donations to beginner adventurers.

While there was some debate, no one viewed it negatively.

The decisive factor was likely that all of Black Swan’s officers came out and bowed in apology.

Since large guild officers had never apologized like this before, it was a very fresh experience for the public.

The only unresolved issue was Jung Ha-yeon’s reaction after Lee Ji-hye left.

Although she didn’t show an immediate emotional response, she often appeared anxious.

She clung to me more than before, trying to forget her anxiety by being with me.

In short, she had become more proactive.

To put it another way, she had become more self-directed.

'Not good.'

Naturally, Jung Ha-yeon’s changes weren’t particularly welcome.

Of course, not yet.

She would ask things like, "Where are you going, Oppa?" or "When will you be back?"

While these questions weren’t the only things that bothered me, I knew this kind of attachment could work to my disadvantage.

She clearly thought there was some connection between Lee Ji-hye and me. She must have sensed something strange.

Of course, Lee Ji-hye pretended not to know, but she might have picked up on the strange tension between us.

As a soulmate recognized by the system, it wasn’t strange for Jung Ha-yeon to sense something.

In fact, I felt she was paying more attention to Lee Ji-hye than to the mercenary queen Cha Hee-ra, with whom we were maintaining a fake relationship.

I needed to control her.

I had to keep that in mind. If I didn’t, I might be dragged around for life.

Anyway, both internally and externally, it was the perfect time for growth.

Except for the crazy old people in the Blue faction, there were no external factors suppressing us.

The harmonious three-power alliance, the improved dungeon and hunting culture, and the support pouring in from the media around us created the best possible situation.

It seemed we were ready to take off.

This was the background surrounding the current Kim Hyun-sung party.

"There are two prerequisites for job advancement. Gaining experience through hunting and repeatedly performing job-specific actions. The same goes for increasing stats. You know that using magic increases your magic power, and using strength increases your physical strength."

"Of course."

"Although we took a short break after the last dungeon run due to various circumstances, we need to grow faster now. It would be ideal if everyone here could grow to at least the level of Seo Hee-yeong. At the very least, you should have the same stats as the others who joined us in the last dungeon raid. It’s time to get rid of the beginner title."

"I see."

"At least three or four job advancements, and stats in the 60s. That’s all I’m asking from you."

It was both a difficult and an easy problem.

Kim Hyun-sung’s statement seemed to target me and Park Deok-gu, and especially the kid, Kim Ye-ri.

Of course, he couldn’t directly check our stats, but he must have had some sense of them.

Jung Ha-yeon’s magic power was in the high 40s, and Kim Hyun-sung’s stats were already in the 50s.

Seo Hee-yeong, who joined us later, was growing steadily, and Park Deok-gu, though slow, was also showing progress.

I and the young Kim Ye-ri were the only ones causing trouble in the Kim Hyun-sung party.

'Hmm.'

Kim Ye-ri was actually better off.

She had legendary potential, so it was just a matter of time before she grew.

The real troublemaker in the Kim Hyun-sung party was me.

Of course, I hadn’t chosen the wrong direction for growth.

My job as an alchemist could cover my weak magic power and felt right for me.

However, it was definitely not a combat-oriented job.

While it was a reasonable thought given that I hadn’t fully grown yet, I sometimes wondered if choosing a dark mage wouldn’t have been better.

Even if there were limits to growth, I would have been stronger than I am now.

Of course, under the premise that this wasn’t the Holy Empire.

"Ugh…"

"Within a month. I think it would be ideal if everyone can achieve their third job advancement and the required stats within a month."

"It’s easy to say, but it won’t be as easy as you think. I don’t know how to get the jobs, but the stats are getting harder to increase even with training… Hunting might help, but…."

"I think you can do it."

"How…."

"We’ll start by going hunting. I won’t come back to the city until we achieve our goals."

"Hmm."

"The expedition will consist of five people, everyone except Ki-yeong."

"What do you mean? Brother…."

It was a situation that made my heart sink.

It sounded like I was being asked to get off the comfortable Kim Hyun-sung bus.

My body reacted before my mind could process it.

"That, that’s not possible."

In a short moment, a thousand thoughts raced through my mind.

Was he trying to push me into a non-combat role?

Or was he trying to kick me out of the main party?

These were just random thoughts.

Park Deok-gu and Jung Ha-yeon looked more surprised than I did, and even Seo Hee-yeong didn’t look happy.

Perhaps it was an attempt to reduce my influence in the party, but my expression remained calm.

Given Kim Hyun-sung’s character, he wouldn’t kick me out over something like this.

I was a valuable party member, after all. My heart was pounding, but I spoke without showing any disturbance.

Kim Hyun-sung nodded and answered my question.

"You’re too dependent."

"Ah."

"Deok-gu and Ha-yeon have grown in a very good environment. The same goes for Hee-yeong, who is not yet familiar with hunting. I’m not talking about a comfortable or easy hunting environment. Of course, I’m not ignoring your efforts, but you’ve become too comfortable with the psychological stability provided by Ki-yeong’s presence."

"Psychological stability?"

I understood what he was saying, but it was hard to accept.

"Put simply, Ki-yeong’s presence is hindering your growth. I’m embarrassed to say it, but I think my presence is also having a negative impact. I’ll go on the expedition with you, but I won’t interfere much. I think it’s best for the four of you, excluding Ki-yeong and me, to handle the situation on your own."

'Unrealistic overestimation.'

Being the troublemaker was a perfect answer.

However, the meaning and interpretation were completely different from what I thought.

The problem wasn’t that I wasn’t growing, but that I was hindering their growth.

While I thought Kim Hyun-sung might be overestimating me, it was true that Jung Ha-yeon and Park Deok-gu relied on me a lot.

However, I didn’t think my presence was hindering their growth to that extent.

Frankly, I wondered if Kim Hyun-sung was delusional.

"Ki-yeong, you look unconvinced."

"To be honest, I am. Ha-yeon and Deok-gu…."

"Ki-yeong contributes more to the party than you think. I can see it, even if others might not. To put it bluntly, this expedition without Ki-yeong is likely to end in complete failure."

"That’s not true. Even if that were the case, how can you and… for a whole month…."

"We’re not kids, brother. I admit Ki-yeong is great, but…."

"Speaking as the leader of this party, there’s no going back. Ki-yeong will not participate in this expedition. The four of you, excluding me, will handle the hunting and dungeon raids."

Everyone looked unconvinced.

However, I nodded.

'It’s not bad.'

While I was a bit puzzled, if Kim Hyun-sung had decided this was the right direction for growth, then it must be.

Especially for Jung Ha-yeon, it was natural to think she needed to get used to situations without me.

Following me was good, but maintaining an appropriate distance would be more helpful.

Although it was hard to believe we would be apart for a month, I had no intention of opposing Kim Hyun-sung’s decision.

"Phew…"

"Sure, I agree with Hyun-sung. If it helps with growth, it’s worth a try."

The problem wasn’t them, but me.

After getting off the Kim Hyun-sung bus, I might be on the verge of becoming a missing person.

It’s good for the party members to get stronger.

However, if they become too strong for me to keep up, it could create problems in the future.

'That can’t happen.'

Given that I was specifically excluded, I wondered if the reincarnated person had left some arrangement for me.

There must be a gift for me, who seems to have low potential.

The rise in stats and job advancement sounded very appealing. I didn’t know what was prepared, but it might be a very sweet reward.

"Then, what will I do during this time…."

However, it turned out to be just my imagination.

Kim Hyun-sung looked at me with a smile full of inexplicable trust.

"Ki-yeong, you’re the same. Focus on increasing your stats and job advancement for the next month."

"Ah… Yes."

"We’ll start as soon as possible. Of course, Ki-yeong, please don’t help during this process. It’s important to start from the preparation stage. Don’t worry about this and focus on your own growth."

"Yes…."

I don’t know where his confidence comes from, but this kid is showing me infinite trust.

It seems he’s undergone some change in mindset, and I never imagined this situation would arise.

"I’ll leave it to you while I’m gone. I trust you, Ki-yeong."

'Don’t trust me, you brat.'

The words lingered on the tip of my tongue.