Chapter 92

# 92

User Manual for the Reincarnated 092

We Will Be Together Forever (6)

"How does it feel?"

"I'm not sure... "

"Is this method also wrong? There doesn't seem to be any adverse effects on your body, right?"

"Yes. On the surface, I'm fine. In fact, the data from the previous clinical trials also showed no adverse effects on the body, so you don't need to worry about that."

"When did you conduct such an experiment again...?"

I used it to lure Seon-hee-yeong over by hiring workers.

At the time, it produced satisfactory results, but due to too many limitations, I had to stop the research.

I never thought it would be useful in a place like this.

It felt as if everything was prepared for us, and the data I had memorized turned out to be effective.

"Should we try making the concentration a bit stronger?"

"Putting in too much isn't good either. If you think about using magic afterward, there should be an appropriate amount. Otherwise, it could affect the body, you know?"

"No, if we consider using it to resist the curse, it should be strong enough to overcome the curse's effects..."

"Is it like a counter-toxin?"

"Approaching it from a similar angle might be a good idea."

"It seems we're going in circles again."

"To be precise, we're not going in circles. Honestly, I think we're almost ready, but..."

"The problem is that you're not confident yet?"

"Yes."

"We need to revise the formula. It's going to be a tough day."

Indeed, just exchanging opinions is already having an effect.

Just a day ago, it felt like we were grasping at straws. I never thought we would make such progress in just one day.

The reason is that we worked better together than expected.

Even before I got a new job, I could feel that I and Hwang Jeong-yeon complemented each other well.

Of course, this mutual complementation is not about personality.

It's about work efficiency.

If I find calculations difficult, I can say so, and Hwang Jeong-yeon is almost a specialist in such areas.

Naturally, I received a lot of help from her.

I probably helped her a lot too, as she lacks a free-thinking approach.

It's like one plus one equals twelve.

"By the way, is Ha-yeon doing okay? She seems very anxious..."

"At least she shows up occasionally in the evenings. Right now, this level of distance is good."

"Even so..."

"At least she hasn't shown any other unusual behavior yet."

"Yes. As you said, at least on the surface, there doesn't seem to be a problem, but I understand why you need to resolve this quickly. She's been looking at us very intensely lately, and it's making me nervous."

"I'm sorry. As I said..."

"I know. You need to respond to sudden situations... I don't understand why a girl who has never had a boyfriend suddenly became the main character in a catfight and is being blamed. I feel like I've been branded as a homewrecker without even holding hands. I'm so frustrated. Of course, it's not bad to feel like the protagonist in a drama, but..."

"..."

"Why is it specifically the homewrecker role? Even Deok-gu seems to be looking at me a bit strangely... Once this is over, I'll make it up to you two or three times over."

"Yes. Once this is over, I'll support you with all my might."

"Don't forget that."

As time passed, Jeong Ha-yeon's anxiety worsened.

This is because I suddenly joined the second squad. Of course, it's obvious that the reason is spending time with Hwang Jeong-yeon.

Jeong Ha-yeon was feeling jealous.

In her already fragile mental state, the curse's erosion seemed to be accelerating rapidly.

In fact, it was hard to distinguish between the curse's erosion and her own thoughts.

I couldn't tell what she was thinking, but I imagined she was making her own plans.

It was a race to see whether Jeong Ha-yeon's plans would be completed first or whether the research I was doing with Hwang Jeong-yeon would yield results first.

If I could focus entirely on the research, we would have made more progress, but I had to spend some time each day supporting Jeong Ha-yeon's fragile mental state.

Of course, this time was also important because it involved giving her a potion and sedatives.

While I couldn't deal a decisive blow to her mental state, I was continuously shaking her, albeit weakly.

'Too sudden changes could make the situation worse.'

It was a choice to minimize side effects.

In fact, Jeong Ha-yeon wasn't the only one who dampened the new research.

Since the purpose of this expedition was rescue, not exploration, various situations kept holding us back.

While Hwang Jeong-yeon and I, who started researching the dungeon, were mostly excluded from small-scale explorations, the need to conduct experiments while moving was a significant drawback.

Despite Hwang Jeong-yeon, the leader of the second squad, being mostly excluded from all searches, the rescue team was making steady progress.

Perhaps because no monsters had been found yet, but the small achievements and hints discovered by Kim Hyun-sung and others were significant.

While I was focused on the research, I didn't get detailed updates on the progress of the rescue, but it was undeniable that the expedition was making some progress.

'Of course.'

Not everything was going smoothly.

More and more people were being eroded by the curse, and some were even talking to themselves.

While the curse's erosion was delayed as much as possible due to Kim Hyun-sung, the side effects of staying in the dungeon for a long time were starting to appear.

Among them, the one who showed a more serious condition was none other than Seon-hee-yeong.

"I'm sorry."

She was watching the party members who entered the dungeon first. Without directly talking to her, it was obvious that she was anxious and impatient.

'No survivors or even hints have been found yet.'

Perhaps everyone felt to some extent that most of the previous party members were dead.

Anyway, the expedition continued to move forward, and the curse that was eating away at our minds was gradually penetrating.

"It's not perfect yet. I'm disappointed, Ki-young."

"At least it's not completely ineffective. The voices are still heard, but the headache is gone. Actually, even this much..."

"Could be considered progress, but if we had a little more time, we could have made it perfect. It's a shame."

"More important than being disappointed is to commercialize it."

"You're right. More importantly, can you ask Ha-yeon to stop looking at us like that?"

"I can't control her."

"Actually, experiencing it isn't good... Dramas are different from reality."

"..."

"Watching from a distance is the most fun, you know."

"But are you okay, Jeong-yeon?"

"Ah... It's mentally tough, but being absorbed in research makes me feel better. Lately, I've been seeing hallucinations, but you're not, right?"

"I do see them, but not seriously."

"It seems the effect is working. Everyone is struggling, but..."

Time passed.

There weren't many changes during this period.

The rescue team continued to move inward, but no undead or survivors were seen.

It felt like we were wandering in the same maze, making steady progress.

While Kim Hyun-sung didn't seem anxious, Seon-hee-yeong's condition visibly worsened.

"Seon-hee-yeong, this is a safe zone."

"Oh, I'll pass through today without staying."

"Excuse me?"

"Too much time has passed. A few minutes could make the survivors' situation worse. I'll rest at the next point."

'Here we go again.'

"But this is the second time..."

"There will definitely be survivors in the next room. Yes, there will definitely be..."

"Master, shouldn't you rest a bit?"

"No, I'm fine. Everyone must be tired, but please bear with it a little longer. Once we find the survivors... Yes, once we find the survivors..."

There might not be any survivors. Honestly, I'm confident that most of them are dead.

Considering that the Blue party was here before we entered Lindel, they would have either been killed by the undead or taken their own lives, leading to a grim outcome.

"Please wait a little longer. A little... I'll speed up. A little faster..."

"Ah..."

Looking at the current situation, it's obvious.

The expedition's leader seems to be suffering from hallucinations and delusions.

Some guild members have annoyed expressions and are full of complaints.

Others are struggling just to maintain their sanity.

Park Deok-gu was holding up well, but even Seon-hee-yeong looked exhausted.

Everyone was on the verge of breaking.

'Can we spend a few more months in this state?'

It's impossible.

For the party members, this is the worst situation, but in fact, this is the best situation for Jeong Ha-yeon. If she really executes her plan, now is the perfect time.

"Everyone, please bear with it a little longer."

"But we're reaching our limit..."

"Guild members are dying inside."

"The rear is struggling, Seon-hee-yeong."

"..."

"Seon-hee-yeong."

Just when I thought the situation was turning for the worse.

-The curse...

'Damn.'

Everyone looked up at the sky simultaneously.

It was the same voice that was heard at the beginning, not the voice of Park Hye-young or Jeong Jin-ho.

'Second wave?'

The mental erosion was already accelerating.

If we face a second wave in this situation, survival itself will be uncertain.

Some might be okay, but I thought most would lose their minds.

"Please chant the holy defense spell."

"But..."

"It's better than nothing. We'll do our best to respond. Mages, use the strongest spells you can..."

The mages and priests summoned holy power and magic, but this wasn't the kind of attack that could be blocked by magic.

When I bit my lip, my gaze involuntarily turned to Jeong Ha-yeon.

It was natural to see her looking at me with a wide smile.

She wasn't speaking, but her open mouth suggested she wanted to say something.

'I. Love. You?'

When I felt something was off with her eyes, I had to call out Hwang Jeong-yeon's name.

'Really?'

"Damn... Jeong-yeon, chant the spell now!"

She really meant it.

Perhaps it was a bit early, but even in this situation, I thought her actions were a bit too quick.

'Because of Hwang Jeong-yeon?'

It was probably certain.

"Yes? Yes? But the defense spell..."

"Quickly!"

"Okay, okay! Jeong, are you sure it's okay? This is still..."

"Chant it quickly!"

"The content too?!"

"Just chant it quickly!"

The scene became chaotic, and screams erupted from all directions.

The front-line fighters were already affected by the curse.

After swallowing the prepared potion, I immediately ran towards Jeong Ha-yeon.

"Of course! You feel the same way!"

I grabbed her hand, which welcomed me with a bright smile, and kissed her, pushing the potion into her mouth.

"I love you!"

'Damn.'

Even in the midst of this, she was still moving her magic, showing that she was determined. The flow of magic through her tightly held hand was unimaginable.

I didn't know what magic she was trying to use, but it definitely wasn't a defense spell.

I prayed that Hwang Jeong-yeon would complete her magic faster than Jeong Ha-yeon.

Jeong Ha-yeon's eyes widened.

'Did it work?'

I couldn't be sure yet.

Maybe I was seeing things due to the curse's influence, but if Jeong Ha-yeon was affected by Hwang Jeong-yeon's magic rather than the curse, I would definitely see it.

'The crazy mage and the cursed shrine maiden.'

The ending she wanted.

"AAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Seeing her looking up at the sky and crying, I was certain that she was seeing the scenario I had prepared.