Chapter 20: Choi Ji-won (3)

Choi Ji-won appeared before me instead of adorable Marudoggy.

“Um...”

Although her sword was peacefully asleep in its scabbard, I knew that it could be drawn at any moment.

I did consider the possibility that Choi Ji-won could come looking for me.

If so many people returned to the vacant lot, even a fool would sense something unusual and naturally become curious about who is behind it.

But I didn’t expect her to act so quickly.

“...”

Let’s think carefully.

If I tremble and stammer, saying something like “W-what...,” Choi Ji-won will surely think, “He’s hiding something. Knock him out for now.” 

Yes, there is a high possibility that she will strike me on the back of my neck.

Let’s consider how she found me in the first place.

Choi Ji-won probably heard about my appearance and location from the survivors who came to the vacant lot and traced me back here. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to find me so quickly.

If that’s the case, she knows that I sent them… I also need to figure out why she’s not attacking me right away.

“Hello?”

In other words, it means that I don’t need to make any excuses first.

It’s highly likely that responding to Choi Ji-won’s question instead of babbling about unnecessary things will yield a higher chance of success.

“Why did you send people to the vacant lot?”

As expected, Choi Ji-won got straight to the point.

If I try to play hard to get here, I’ll probably end up having to confront Choi Ji-won’s fists and kicks.

“Because you were protecting the vacant lot…”

Here, I needed to be bold.

“What?”

Choi Ji-won’s face twisted, but I couldn’t show any signs of backing down. 

The more she tried to intimidate me, the more confident I needed to be.

“The moment I woke up at the vacant lot, I could tell. Among the people gathered there, you were the strongest.”

“...”

Up to this point, Choi Ji-won won’t be able to refute it either.

Because this woman must have sensed that I was somewhat skilled in some way.

When I was cutting the grass, the back of my neck was unusually chilly. It’s obvious whose gaze it was.

“A person as strong as you, if you were only practicing swordsmanship at the vacant lot... wouldn’t it be to protect those people? I simply led the weak to a safe place.”

“...”

“I may be stronger than others, but I don’t have the power to protect everyone. That’s why I sent them to you... Is there a problem?”

Choi Ji-won struggled to give a quick response.

She probably imagined that I had some ulterior motives, but upon closer inspection, I was just a good person.

She must be extremely flustered right now. I intended to just say “bye!” and end it, but it didn’t turn out that way.

“Food.”

“What?”

“How did you know that I was planning to distribute food?”

“...”

Oh no.

The moment I left the vacant lot was just one day after waking up there.

In other words, it was on the morning of the second day when I left.

Choi Ji-won distributed food for the first time at lunch on the second day. It’s the information I shouldn’t have known.

I shouldn’t panic. Let’s respond naturally.

“...Since you decided to protect the people, I thought it was natural for you to provide food as well.”

“Hmm.”

Choi Ji-won listened to my answer and fell into contemplation.

For now, the flow of the conversation was fine. It didn’t abruptly end with a “Whoosh!” and Choi Ji-won had been leading the conversation calmly.

Hmm… I just needed to put on the “good person” mask again, the one I wore to learn the sword from Choi Ji-won.

The testimonies of the people I rescued will breathe life into my mask, wherever they may be. 

In fact, if we focus only on this round, I really was a good person.

“Yeah, I understand your intentions.”

After contemplating, Choi Ji-won nodded slightly.

Her ponytail swayed captivatingly as her head moved.

“But take responsibility.”

“...What?”

Take responsibility? Me?

No... Choi Ji-won may be pretty and have a good figure, but her personality is strange...

“There are too many people in the vacant lot. It’s difficult for me to gather food alone. I need your help.”

Ah.

So that’s what taking responsibility meant.

“There is a stockpile of food already. Let me guide you.”

Choi Ji-won looked at me with her arms crossed.

“...Alright, let’s go.”

The food we gathered after killing the mutant goblins was not enough to feed everyone for more than a day or two, but if it meant leaving a good impression on her, it's okay if the food we worked hard to gather gets taken away in one morning.

“May I ask your name? Ah, my name is Kim Jun-ho.”

“...Choi Ji-won.”

Regardless of the method, I have been recruited as Choi Ji-won’s assistant.

I will become closer to Choi Ji-won in this round.

And I will uncover every piece of information about her, down to her underwear, making it easier for me to get a trait from her.

Just wait and see, Choi Ji-won.

I’m looking forward to the day you step into my trap.

“...You have a grass allergy?”

“Yeah. It swells up when my skin comes in contact with it.”

“...Then follow the path you created.”

I subtly dropped a few hints here and there, but Choi Ji-won didn’t react much.

Until now, I used polite language because it was our first meeting in each round and because I thought of her as a benefactor who taught me swordsmanship. But now, as we moved forward as equals instead of benefactor and student, this was the true beginning.

Choi Ji-won and I carried a load of food on our backs and walked toward the vacant lot.

At times like this, I can feel that my physical abilities have become stronger. It even seems like I have developed some muscles in my arms.

“...”

Of course, I couldn’t compare to Choi Ji-won, who was beside me.

Muscles were visible in her arms, and her palms were calloused, but... even considering that, she was too strong. Her muscles were literally compressed for real combat. 

Well, it shouldn't be a surprise. In the Tower, you shouldn’t judge people based on their appearance. It’s a place where you don’t know how deceptive their abilities might be.

“...We’ve arrived.”

Choi Ji-won muttered softly.

As she said, the inside of the vacant lot gradually came into view...

“...Wow.”

I instantly understood why Choi Ji-won came to find me.

In the past, there were about 10 people in the vacant lot. Now, there were about 30 people.

It’s something that can’t be overlooked.

Moreover, these people are all baby birds that have escaped from a cruel reality.

If the amount of food people eat, fight, and the space needed to sleep is tripled... oh, shit.

“First, let’s distribute the food.”

“Sure.”

Choi Ji-won and I hurriedly moved around the vacant lot, distributing food to different places.

It seemed like we had brought a lot when we were carrying it, but after distributing it, each person only received enough food for two meals.

After the whole process was over, Choi Ji-won grasped her sword again without showing signs of fatigue.

I sat down beside her, panting.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Upon closer inspection, Choi Ji-won was wielding her sword in the same position and following the same path every time.

The speed was also significantly slower compared to usual.

Consciously slowing down and repeating the same sword technique… If I have a chance to practice with a sword in the future, I should try imitating it.

“Um... Ji-won?”

“Call me Choi Ji-won.”

At least this time, Choi Ji-won responded.

Good person buff + helping with work = still gives cold responses! That seems to be the case.

“Yeah, Choi Ji-won. Why are you feeding so many people in the vacant lot?”

From the perspective of the person who created the Tower, it was clearly abnormal to have people living in the vacant lot like this.

It’s difficult to obtain food here. The goblins living in the bushes only give out trash-like things.

Although it’s safe, it’s also very difficult to come and go due to the dense undergrowth.

It’s the literal starting point.

Even for people who are too scared to move, eventually succumbing to hunger and thirst and leaving the vacant lot would be the normal course of action.

However, because of Choi Ji-won’s efforts, it has become a completely safe zone… At least, for now.

“With your abilities... obtaining the golden bead wouldn’t have been difficult.”

Even I captured a mutant and obtained one bead.

Moreover, if it were Choi Ji-won, she could have easily taken care of any mutants she encountered.

I was curious about why she didn’t just move on to the next stage but instead stayed by the weaklings’ side.

“...”

Choi Ji-won wielded her sword without answering, remaining silent.

I thought she was just being her usual self and was about to fall asleep. However…

“That’s what I learned.”

Choi Ji-won spoke as she swung her sword.

“It’s the duty of the strong. Even if you can’t save everyone in a crisis, at least you should save the weak in front of you.”

“...”

“I’m just doing what I’ve learned.”

Choi Ji-won’s gaze, as she said that, somehow looked melancholic.

“Ah, I see.”

Choi Ji-won seemed to have a story behind her.

Even attacking because of seeing something slightly suspicious must have its own reasons.

My heart felt a bit sentimental due to my sympathy for her.

‘But how many times did I go back because of her?’ I thought and snapped back to my senses.

There is no one without a story in this world. Even I have my own story.

Here, what judgment would the rational and pragmatic Kim Jun-ho - the regressor - make?

Let’s think again.

That gaze... it was a gaze reminiscent of the past.

Family? Or perhaps a fellow student she learned with? Or maybe a master.

I don’t know who it is, but one thing is certain.

The person who said those words to her must have died or become impossible to see for some reason.

And their trace is still deeply embedded in Choi Ji-won’s heart.

By giving such a kind suggestion… they must have been incredibly good people.

“Hmm.”

Come to think of it, Choi Ji-won doesn’t treat me particularly harshly when I wear the good person mask.

She taught me swordsmanship and even told me why she protects the vacant lot.

‘Bingo.’

Choi Ji-won… sees me overlapping with that person when I pretend to be good.

It feels like the pieces of the puzzle are falling into place in my mind. I came to a realization quickly:

The day I get to know in detail about ‘that person’ who is dear to Choi Ji-won… is the day I’ll grab hold of Choi Ji-won’s leash.

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