Chapter 25

Chapter 25. The First Hero (19)

Peuten noticed Seongchan staring at him.

"Do you have a reason for everything you're doing?"

His tone sounded as though he were testing Seongchan's abilities.

Seongchan reacted immediately.

"You grabbed both my hands and said you'd follow me. Did you only say that because Sir Kosdal was here?"

"No. I wasn't thinking about Sir Kosdal at all."

"You didn't think you'd be working together with him? Sir Kosdal would've been disappointed if he'd heard that."

Unlike usual, Seongchan was deliberately twisting the meaning of Peuten's words.

The reports never said he was the type to grab onto someone's wording like this. Does he have some intention behind it?

Peuten initially tried not to show any confusion.

Then he changed his strategy.

"Does it really become that kind of problem?!"

He deliberately sounded surprised, deciding it would be better to play along with Seongchan's intentions.

"What are you going to do?"

"About what?"

"About disrespecting Sir Kosdal. What are you going to tell him?"

Peuten suddenly found himself being interrogated.

He tried to brush it off lightly, but Seongchan stubbornly continued.

Peuten attempted to follow what he thought Seongchan wanted.

Yet Seongchan remained completely serious.

Cold sweat appeared on Peuten's forehead.

Seongchan's serious expression made him tense.

That face sends chills down my spine.

Peuten's shoulders hunched slightly under Seongchan's gaze.

His lips moved, but he stopped himself from speaking.

Experience had taught him that if he tried to talk in this state, his words would come out wrong.

He deliberately controlled his breathing until he calmed down.

Then he spoke.

"I'll tell him the truth."

"What exactly are you going to say?"

If Peuten told Kosdal exactly what Seongchan had said, it could create trouble for Seongchan.

If Kosdal heard the full situation, he would realize Seongchan had twisted Peuten's words.

It doesn't matter even if he finds out.

Seongchan had already made up a story in front of Kosdal when he'd said they should help Chief Berreo of Tolkan Village.

Peuten knew nothing about that.

He was still carefully thinking about what answer Seongchan wanted.

He's testing whether I can be trusted.

Peuten finally understood what he believed Seongchan's intention to be.

Now that he understood, he needed to give a suitable answer.

He spoke carefully.

"I'll tell Sir Kosdal that I became so focused on your abilities that I failed to consider him properly."

He continued.

"Then I'll show him through future results just how important this decision was. I know your abilities are absolutely necessary for what comes next."

What Kosdal could do and what Seongchan could do were different.

And in the matter ahead of them, there were many things only Seongchan could accomplish.

Peuten was already speaking with future plans in mind.

Even though Seongchan hadn't yet clearly solved the kingdom's main problem, Peuten was talking as though he fully expected him to.

Seongchan showed a surprised expression.

He's speaking based on the reports from the Highs Merchant Company, but technically I'm not supposed to know that.

I should at least look surprised.

Seongchan deliberately shaped his expression before asking,

"Have I shown you any special ability?"

"The Wild Pig Stew. And not only that."

Peuten looked directly at him.

"When I saw how you treat the people of this territory, I decided to follow you because your actions go beyond money and fame."

After regressing several times, money and fame really weren't that important anymore.

Seongchan had already experienced more than enough of both.

In that sense, Peuten wasn't wrong.

He makes decisions quickly. Is that what I'd expect from the Deputy Head of the Highs Merchant Company?

Even with access to reports and information, very few people could make a decision as quickly as Peuten had.

A smile appeared on Seongchan's face.

"Good. Let's work well together."

Then he turned toward Hae-reun, who was preparing to wash dishes with the children.

"Director Hae-reun, please come to the Rice Ball Guild's training ground around lunchtime too."

"All right. It sounds like you're discussing something important, so I'll finish washing the dishes first and then come."

"You don't have to worry about the dishes. Ella."

Ella controlled the water.

In moments, the bowls and spoons were spotless.

She even cleaned the pot.

After finishing, Ella happily wagged her tail under the sparkling gazes of the children.

"So cute."

"Can we touch her?"

The children spoke one after another.

Ella made a pleased sound.

Then she lowered herself until the children could reach her.

Small hands stroked Ella's tail and head.

Through their emotional connection, Seongchan could feel how happy Ella was to receive their praise and affection.

"Children, you should thank Seongchan properly."

"Seongchan! Thank you for feeding me! If there's ever more eating work, call me, Malko!"

"Malko! Is that how Director taught you to say thank you?! That's not how gratitude works. You have to mean it when you say thank you!"

Before Hae-reun could speak, Dean wrapped both arms around Malko's neck and began scolding him.

Dean's mouth moved nonstop.

He was whispering directly into Malko's ear, so Seongchan couldn't hear what he was saying.

Judging by Malko's expression, Dean was explaining what he'd done wrong.

Malko's face gradually stiffened.

Because saying, "Call me whenever there's food," is basically announcing that you plan to freeload again.

No wonder he's making that face.

Malko was still young.

He probably didn't understand exactly what his own words implied.

It was good that he knew what he was good at and could advertise it.

The problem was that he'd spoken without considering how the other person might feel.

Dean, who looked around the same age, had noticed immediately.

He even looked apologetic on Malko's behalf.

"Dean is clever, isn't he?"

"It's unfortunate."

"Yes. It is. If he received a proper education, he could probably do very well."

"That's not what I mean. I mean it's unfortunate that he's trying so hard because he thinks he can't behave like other children his age."

Dean might look clever.

But Seongchan had known genuinely brilliant children.

Compared to them, Dean wasn't especially gifted.

He only looks clever because he's always watching people's moods and forcing himself to mature.

He's simply doing the best he can.

Seongchan knew a truly brilliant child.

When that child had been Dean's age, he had saved his orphanage by starting a business together with the other children.

He'd earned money and kept the orphanage alive.

That child had now grown into a young man.

And that young man had become Deputy Head of the Highs Merchant Company.

He was now preparing to save the Terk Kingdom together with Seongchan.

"You're right. You two need to talk, so we'll get going."

"You've worked hard."

"It's nothing. It's something I should do. We'll see you tomorrow."

Hae-reun left with the children.

Once only Seongchan and Peuten remained, Seongchan spoke.

"It seems Director Hae-reun has never met a truly clever child."

"Have you met one?"

"I'm meeting one right now."

"Where?"

Peuten looked around in confusion.

Then he pointed at himself.

Seongchan nodded.

Peuten's eyes widened dramatically.

"Just how much do you know about me?!"

After regressing several times, Seongchan knew the pasts of most important people.

If he really wanted to, he could even learn their eating habits.

"You didn't deny being clever."

"When I was young, I didn't realize it. But after growing up, I understood that I was different."

That was how intelligent people often were.

At first, they assumed everyone thought the way they did.

As they grew older, they gradually realized there was a difference between themselves and those around them.

It wasn't exactly common for a child to start a business with other children and actually succeed.

Actually, how many children would even think about making money through business?

It was only possible because he could see several moves ahead.

Seongchan knew Peuten must have created numerous plans after reading the Highs Merchant Company's reports.

So he asked,

"You seemed to be desperately waiting for me. Is something happening?"

"I want to know how far ahead you can see."

Peuten immediately reached into his high-grade subspace pouch and pulled out a mana stone.

A symbol of fear was carved into it.

"This is a Fear Mana Stone used by demons. You saw how many Wild Pigs there were on the way to the Terk Kingdom, didn't you?"

Peuten had brought up Wild Pigs while holding a Fear Mana Stone.

"You think demons are involved?"

"It's only a theory. Non-demons can use Fear Mana Stones too."

Peuten continued.

"If we found a Fear Mana Stone inside a Wild Pig, it would become more than a theory. But we haven't found one."

Seongchan had traveled through villages surrounding the Terk Kingdom, butchered countless Wild Pigs, and cooked Wild Pig Soup.

Even after handling so many, he hadn't seen a single Fear Mana Stone.

There was a reason.

Even if a Wild Pig swallowed a Fear Mana Stone and became terrified, the stone would eventually dissolve and disappear during digestion.

By the time the Wild Pig attacks a village, digestion is already finished.

Finding a Fear Mana Stone inside a Wild Pig wasn't easy because the stone slowly dissolved inside its body.

"You're investigating this based only on a theory?"

"We've received reports that purple mana was flowing through some Wild Pigs. That makes the possibility much higher."

"If the probability is that high, it's worth investigating."

Seongchan paused.

"Do you know Tolkan Village?"

"Yes."

"Good. Go to Tolkan Village and find Taylor."

Peuten listened carefully.

"Help Taylor, then find a Fear Mana Stone and bring it back."

"Am I going alone?"

"What? Do you expect me to go? You know I'm busy."

"No. I'll go."

"And hunt some Wild Pigs on your way back."

"Wild Pigs?"

"Yes. Bring enough to hold a festival."

"...Understood."

Peuten still looked confused, but he accepted the request.

While Peuten is bringing back the Fear Mana Stone, I need to prepare.

It was finally time for Na-ye, who had been ignored inside the Rice Ball Guild, to establish her position.

Seongchan came out of the house Peuten had given him after spending the night there.

I slept well.

Na-ye probably spent the whole day thinking.

He remembered her tear-covered face.

But there had been no other choice.

If Na-ye wanted to properly handle Silnyang and correct what had gone wrong inside the Rice Ball Guild, she needed to become the guild's central figure.

As she was now, she wasn't ready.

There are more people than yesterday.

A crowd of local residents had gathered around the Rice Ball Guild.

"Is there some kind of festival?"

"You're here, Seongchan. Everyone here is waiting for you."

"The rumor spread already?"

"I think so. More and more people recovered their energy after eating your Wild Pig Stew."

In only one day, the area had become packed with residents.

Seongchan turned away from them.

"I came to eat breakfast. Let's go."

"What about those people?"

"We agreed to sell only at lunchtime."

"I told them that, but they said they were going to wait here anyway..."

Na-ye looked as though she couldn't understand why the people refused to leave.

At the same time, her eyes subtly asked whether Seongchan could perhaps cook for them anyway.

Seongchan ignored the look.

"Well, if they want to wait, that's their choice. We're going to eat breakfast."

Until now, he'd mostly eaten Wild Pig Soup and Wild Pig Stew.

That had been a deliberate choice to improve his teamwork with Ella and If.

Repeating the same dishes increased his proficiency and confidence.

But today he planned to make something new.

Gulp.

Just thinking about eating it made Seongchan swallow.

I should do a little warm-up before making a delicious breakfast too.

He looked at Na-ye walking behind him.

Seongchan saved the villages of the Terk Kingdom. I can't expect him to save the Rice Ball Guild too.

The villagers had been helpless against the Wild Pigs.

Seongchan's assistance had practically been a miracle.

But the Rice Ball Guild was different.

There are still many guild members who believe in me.

Na-ye pressed her lips together.

Determination filled her expression.

She would not back down.