Chapter 298: Magic Power Stat 99 (1)
“O-Oppa! I did it!”
“Oh… Right…”
“I-I finally did it!!”
I heard a voice that sounded very excited. And it was not just her voice. Her face was positively glowing, too. It was a sight to see her run over, opening her arms as if she were asking for a hug.
It was the first time she had been running openly like this, so I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.
As I opened my arms and patted her back, she sniffed and buried her face deeper into my chest.
‘She’s as usual.’
As usual, although nothing had changed, I was very concerned about the magic power that now fluctuated inside her body.
‘Ninety-nine magic power…’
It was ridiculous, but my ability never lied.
I felt so disconcerted that I had to clear my throat. Of course, I expected that she would grow, but I never imagined it would increase so fast.
When certain stats entered the 90 range, one’s growth slowed noticeably.
If the growth potential was heroic-grade or higher, it was almost impossible to level up, and even if it was a legendary-grade or higher, it was still not easy to raise the stats.
In Jung Hayan’s case, having magic power of 90 with a legendary-grade item and a case of successful ownership, her stats had exploded.
Although the magic power increased very quickly, it was, of course, an abnormal growth route and had its own side effects.
She chose to increase the specs because of her desire to get stronger quickly, but she was in a situation where she had to take some time to review the path she got.
After twists and turns, she got a magic power stat of 98, but the time it took to raise the magic power stat by 1 was about 3 to 4 years.
In fact, Kim Hyunsung also judged that it would take a lot of time to assimilate the things Jung Hayan possessed, and he expected that she would spend about a year only learning the magic she had learned from the legendary item, Anemone.
‘She turned it over.’
She had turned it over perfectly.
Jung Hayan, currently having magic power of 99, meant that she had assimilated all the magical powers absorbed from the blood-stained gem, Anemone.
Without that being enough, it seemed she had pushed through the limits.
I hadn’t seen her hold on to magic lately, so I never imagined that she would grow so suddenly.
‘So, it was this.’
This was the reason she was quiet. It seemed that she put some restrictions on herself.
I didn’t know the details, but I thought there might have been a promise with herself, such as refraining herself until she reached the goal.
I had to be happy and applaud, but thinking that a rugby ball, which could bounce anywhere, had risen to the ranks of Superman in name and reality, I couldn’t help myself from feeling alert.
‘How far did she get?
I couldn’t measure her combat power well.
‘Fuck… She mustn’t be stronger than Kim Hyunsung, right?’
She was not.
The growth balance of Jung Hayan was too specialized for magic and intelligence. And in the first place, the wizard’s interpersonal battles could not be compared to that of a swordsman or a warrior.
However, at least in terms of firepower, I personally judged that she was not behind. I wanted to use the combat power meter Park Deokgu, but even if I were to compare with Park Deokgu, if the current Jung Hayan’s magic hit him, he would become a barbecue in no time.
If I were to think about simple firepower, she might be in the top three of Lindel’s, no, of the entire State.
Naturally, I was happy and anxious at the same time. But for now, I thought that congratulating her growth was the first thing to do.
“What happened?”
“Oh! M-My magic power has increased. It’s ninety-nine now! I can use magic that I haven’t been able to use until now, and I think I can do experiments with things I’ve been thinking about!”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
“That’s really great. Hyunsung said it would take a few years.”
“I-I worked hard, though. I’ve worked hard thinking about Oppa. That’s why I haven’t been able to give you a lot of attention. Now we could be together a little longer. Hehe.”
“That’s great. I also thought that Hayan wanted to be alone.”
“No! Absolutely not! Never! When I’m with you, I always keep thinking about something else…”
“Ah… Okay…”
I could tell what the other thoughts were, but I didn’t ask in detail.
“You must be tired, then. It looks like you didn’t sleep…”
“Yes. Actually… I am a bit…”
“I think I better go to Laios alone, right?”
“No! I-I’m fine! I’m not tired at all! L-let’s sleep together. No, let’s go together, Oppa. I’m almost done packing!”
I didn’t even think I would be able to leave her anyway. When I glanced into the room, I could see the inside as if it were in ruins.
I was sure that she hadn’t packed her luggage, let alone mine.
I wanted to go without her as an unknown uneasiness kept rising, but it also worried me to leave her in this condition alone.
There was some internal conflict, but it was only the right choice to take her. I could see her rush into the room and pack her things just in case I suddenly changed my mind.
She had a smile, and seeing her even humming, it looked like she was thrilled.
It felt like she had gained a lot of confidence.
I could see her simply packing up her clothes and cosmetics as if she could buy everything else she needed in Laios.
I also went into the room and packed my own luggage.
After a while, I went down to the first floor with Jung Hayan, and from there, I could see Park Deokgu and Han Sora waiting for us.
Han Sora felt a little surprised when Jung Hayan came down, but she remained calm. She realized that she was in a good mood, seeing her with a pleasant smile on her lips.
“Are you not going to say goodbye to the Guild Master?”
“I did it yesterday. Today, Hyunsung-ssi said he would not be able to meet us because he had something to do… Let’s leave quickly. We will be late.”
“Hey, we’re this late because Hyung-nim and Hayan came out late. But if we move fast, we will arrive on time. If not, I can run with all of you three.”
“I refuse that… let’s move. I think it’ll be fine if we’re a little late.”
“Okay.”
We said goodbyes once again to those who came and turned our backs.
I could see Kim Hyunsung, who said he might not be able to come out. I was happy to see him, but I didn’t bother to give him a flowery greeting.
I smiled and held out my hand at the face of the guy who always seemed nervous recently, and he also held my hand and smiled.
“I’ll be back.”
“Yes. If anything happens, I will contact you.”
“Okay. Hyunsung-ssi.”
This was the end of the goodbye as I didn’t plan to be away for long.
I couldn’t make the Red Mercenaries wait too long, so I walked as quickly as possible.
Jung Hayan was holding my arm tightly and showing a triumphant expression. Park Deokgu had an anxious expression in case we would be late, and Han Sora was steadily maintaining a safe distance from Jung Hayan.
In the meantime, Jung Hayan seemed to want to get a reward for being separated as she was gradually burrowing into my arms.
In fact, I felt a little uncomfortable. But right now, I thought it would be better to let her do what she wanted.
There was nothing good about giving her a bad mood.
‘Did she think I’d like it if she got stronger quickly?’
There must be such a reason, but I thought there was probably a slightly different explanation.
When I recalled, it was after she saw someone powerful with her own eyes that Jung Hayan first started obsessing with power.
She continued to go through situations in which she needed strength, and that memory served as her driving force and spurred her growth.
If my prediction was correct, I might have a little headache to contend with in the first place.
As we chitchatted, I saw some people waiting for us in front of the meeting place.
It was definitely attractive to see her wearing clothes that reveal her body shape, just like when I first met her. The woman with red hair, the Guild Master of the Red Mercenary, and one of the State members.
She was the Mercenary Queen Cha Hee-ra, who was called the number one in Lindel’s name.
She was still the same, rushing in this way and opening her mouth with her arm on my shoulder.
Although Jung Hayan was startled for a moment, she did nothing but stare at Cha Hee-ra.
“You’re a little late, honey?”
“Oh. Because work ended a little late…”
“Such an unbelievable lie… Well, you must be late procrastinating in the guild house. Anyway, let’s go. Oh, long time no see.”
“Yes…”
“How have you been?”
“Well…”
However, Jung Hayan’s expression looked quite strange. It wasn’t obvious, but it felt like she was measuring Cha Hee-ra up.
She didn’t look hostile, but it looked like she was trying to start something slowly.
‘Fuck… What’s up with her?’
I didn’t know how to put it, but Jung Hayan, who slowly looked up and down at Cha Hee-ra, also kept moving her fingers up and down.
Cha Hee-ra, who took me into the carriage with her arms around my shoulders, also stopped.
I could see that she turned and looked directly at Jung Hayan. There wasn’t any conversation, but somehow, I felt like I was being ignored.
Jung Hayan’s risk meter, Han Sora, hobbled and moved to Park Deokgu’s back, the combat power meter, and the sudden situation dumbfounded Park Deokgu.
It felt like a bomb was going to go off. It wasn’t good timing for me to do something about it.
The two were just looking at each other, and Jung Hayan wasn’t particularly rude to Cha Hee-ra.
“Why? Do you have anything to say?”
“N-no… actually…”
“But why do you look at people like that? Huh?”
“H… How did I look?”
‘Don’t fucking do this, you two…’
Suddenly, the surroundings become quiet. Those who gathered to go to the Laios together and the voices that were heard from the surroundings could not be heard.
I suddenly wanted to pray to Goddess Benigore right at this very moment.
Whether it was unfortunate or fortunate, Jung Hayan lowered her head a little, and Cha Hee-ra smirked and started talking to me once more.
Of course, the arm on my shoulder and her chest position, which was strangely close, were still there.
“Let’s go in, honey.”
It was then that Jung Hayan opened her mouth.
“I think… you’d better put that arm away…”
She was whispering to herself, but it was loud enough for us to listen.
“O-O-Oppa seems to be uncomfortable…”
“…”
“…”
“What?”
‘Don’t fucking really do this, you two…’
Jung Hayan was smirking. Cha Hee-ra’s own expression was unreadable.