Chapter 55

 

Seo Woo Jin was slightly embarrassed.

 

When he returned after defeating Burtael, Kang Byeong-gyu greeted him with a tearful expression.

 

“Seo Woojin! Are you okay? What about your body? Are you hurt anywhere?”

 

For a moment, he almost mistook him for Lee Ji-ah.

 

As he looked at every inch of Seo Woojin’s body with a white face, it seemed like he was quite worried.

 

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

 

Seo Woojin reassured Kang Byeong-gyu with an awkward expression.

 

“I heard you fought a demon monster?”

 

Monster.

 

Burtael was strong, befitting the name of a monster.

 

‘But…’

 

It was easier than expected.

 

Of course, there was a precarious danger in the process, but considering that he didn’t receive a single wound, it was much easier than the name suggested.

 

Seo Woojin turned his gaze to Ludian.

 

‘Top-class knight.’

 

There are only a few of them not only in the Empire, but across the entire continent.

 

Excluding unconventional figures like Van Slaine or Dariel, they were strong people who could claim to be the strongest on the continent.

 

‘If it weren’t for Ludian, I would have died.’

 

Seo Woojin didn’t overestimate his own abilities.

 

It was clear that he contributed, but that was all.

 

The fight against Burtal was almost entirely Ludian’s doing.

 

Though he thought he had become a bit stronger, it seemed there was still a long way to go.

 

“The instructor cut his throat.”

 

Seo Woojin had no choice but to answer Kang Byeong-gyu like that.

 

“Instructor?”

 

Kang Byeong-gyu looked at Ludian.

 

“I heard he was a strong knight, but I didn’t know it was to this extent.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

Seo Woojin agreed with those words.

 

That’s when Ludian, who had noticed their gaze, approached.

 

“You’ve worked hard. Let the other knights take care of things here, and you can go back now.”

 

The emergency situation was over.

 

Although there were injured knights, there was no need for Heroes to step forward now.

 

“Going back… the two of us should be enough?”

 

After thinking for a moment, Ludian nodded at Seo Woojin.

 

Even though they were still in the demonic realm it didn’t seem particularly dangerous if one considered Seo Woojin’s abilities.

 

Having leveled up and fully recovered physically, there seemed to be no need to worry.

 

As for the path, Kang Byeong-gyu could find it.

 

“I’ll go back quickly after recovering.”

 

“Alright, take care.”

 

Seo Woojin politely bid farewell to Ludian and left with Kang Byeong-gyu.

 

‘I want to take a little shower.’

 

He felt like quickly returning to the base camp and washing himself by the stream.

 

* * *

 

“Shouldn’t we check it out too?”

 

Baek Siwoo suggested, recalling the red signal that had appeared a while ago.

 

“It’s too far to go from here. By the time we arrive, it might be over already.”

 

Seong Yura bluntly replied.

 

“Well, still…”

 

“Look at those knights over there.”

 

Baek Siwoo turned his head as Seong Yura pointed.

 

“They’re not moving either. They’ve made the same judgment as me.”

 

Indeed, the knights hesitated for a moment, but they still weren’t moving.

 

It seemed they judged that it would be too late to go now, just as Seong Yura had said.

 

“Besides, do we have the luxury to say such things?”

 

Seong Yura pointed to the wolf-like monsters rushing towards them.

 

“We have to deal with these monsters first.”

 

Dozens of monsters.

 

It had been several hours since they started the battle.

 

How could they go when these creatures kept coming, no matter how many they killed?

 

Fwoosh!

 

A giant flame erupted from Kim Taejin’s hands, incinerating all the wolves at the front.

 

“Yura is right. We don’t even have time to rest. How can we go and help now?”

 

There was a way.

 

If everyone refused, Baek Siwoo could just go and help on his own.

 

However, Baek Siwoo didn’t voice that thought.

 

He didn’t want to say it out loud because Seong Yura would explode again for sure.

 

With a regretful heart, Baek Siwoo looked in the direction where the signal had exploded.

 

The red smoke had long disappeared.

 

He swung his sword, hoping that nothing bad had happened.

 

Swoosh!

 

It was just a simple slash without using any skills.

 

However, the five monsters caught in the path of the sword were cleanly cut apart.

 

This was possible thanks to the combination of the sword supported by the Empire and his swordsmanship.

 

“Do you guys have enough mana?”

 

Baek Siwoo habitually pulled out his sword without a drop of blood and asked his friends.

 

“Of course. Who do you think we are, fools? Managing mana is basic, you know?”

 

Seong Yura replied as the representative.

 

They were different from other foolish Heroes. They had realized the traps mixed in the easy growth method called the ‘Bus.’

 

Therefore, they didn’t forget to accumulate practical experience. Alternating between the bus and actual combat, they boasted skills superior to any other Heroes.

 

On top of that, a job of at least S-rank or higher added wings to their prowess.

 

“To be honest, I don’t know why we need the others. We seem more than capable of dealing with the Demon King ourselves.”

 

It was not arrogance but confidence.

 

The Demon King had descended seven times so far, and they had defeated him without exception.

 

Even when the number of Heroes was as few as two, they believed their five would be more than enough.

 

Seong Yura sincerely believed that.

 

“Well, maybe they’re there to be meat shields.”

 

Park Jinhan said, squeezing the head of the wolf biting his arm.

 

On his skin, where the fangs should have pierced, not even a small scratch appeared.

 

“Yeah, having them around makes us stand out more. It’s perfect for extra work, isn’t it?”

 

Kim Taejin agreed with Jinhan’s words after a long time.

 

“Is that so? Well, it’s not bad to have many useful pieces on the board.”

 

Seong Yura nodded in agreement with their words.

 

Sometimes, when other Heroes looked at her with admiring eyes, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.

 

It was a different pleasure from that of the indigenous people of this world.

 

“But, isn’t it bad to think that way…?”

 

However, Lim Taeeun seemed to think differently from them.

 

With a dragon on her shoulder, she, who was providing rear support from a little distance away, expressed her dissent.

 

“Taeeun, you’re too nice. If you live like that, you’ll be called pushover later.”

 

Seong Yura advised her friend with a genuinely worried expression.

 

“Uh, yeah…”

 

Lim Taeeun nodded hesitantly.

 

“You’re all good, but your personality is too weak.”

 

Although Lim Taeeun lacks athleticism, she is quite popular due to her outstanding intelligence and sickly appearance.

 

However, the problem was that she was so naive and timid that she was not only kind but foolish.

 

If they hadn’t taken care of her, she would undoubtedly have been bullied by others.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Lim Taeeun apologized, stammering.

 

“Alright. Just do as I say, and everything will be fine.”

 

Baek Siwoo swung his sword and sighed.

 

They were really good friends, but times like these were frustrating.

 

‘Prejudice? Arrogance?’

 

He could understand.

 

Even in Korea, his friends’ households were prestigious enough to make them stand out as second best. 

 

Whether it was wealth, honor, or power, their talents were exceptional, and it seemed natural for them to look down on others.

 

But Baek Siwoo was different.

 

He was the son of an ordinary family with nothing to boast about.

 

Compared to his friends, he was nothing special.

 

Yet, Baek Siwoo became their leader because his talents shone brilliantly.

 

Whether it was academics, sports, or looks, there was nothing he wasn’t better at than others.

 

He even obtained an SSS-class occupation here.

 

So, even his prideful friends couldn’t deny his achievements.

 

But Baek Siwoo found his friends’ personalities burdensome.

 

‘Rather…’

 

A face came to his mind.

 

A D-class Hero.

 

Older in age, average in appearance, and with the worst rank.

 

Certainly not someone to attract attention.

 

Yet, he asserted his presence with his skills.

 

‘I think I could be a better friend with that person.’

 

Baek Siwoo wanted to create an opportunity to have a serious conversation with him.

 

‘It might be difficult, though.’

 

Baek Siwoo glanced at Seong Yura with a sidelong look.

 

She had a tendency to dismiss people inferior to her.

 

The more lacking someone was, the more thoroughly she ignored them.

 

From Seong Yura’s perspective, Seo Woojin was probably no different from a bug.

 

After all, he was a D-class Hero, the lowest rank.

 

‘It’s impossible to stay with that guy.’

 

Baek Siwoo hesitated for a moment.

 

How could he have a conversation with Seo Woojin?

 

He was curious about how he did the punching he showed at the party, and he was also curious about what happened during the subjugation.

 

He wanted to ask questions and get to know each other.

 

‘I’ll have to think of a way.’

 

Baek Siwoo thought as he split the monster’s head with his sword.

 

* * *

 

“I’m here! I’m here! Mister, what happened? Did monsters attack? Or is it something else? Oh, please tell me quickly!”

 

Lee Ji-ah was definitely on a different level.

 

Kang Byeong-gyu’s barrage of questions a little while ago was amazing, but Lee Ji-ah went far beyond that level.

 

“Just a moment. Can you wait until I wash up and then talk?”

 

At the end, when Burtal died, the blood that poured out splashed quite a bit on Seo Woojin.

 

Feeling uneasy for no reason, he wanted to wash up first.

 

Kang Byeong-gyu, who was also exhausted, needed some rest.

 

“Oh, okay. Then, please wash up first. We’ll prepare some food for you in the meantime.”

 

Lee Ji-ah nodded emphatically after checking out Seo Woojin’s appearance.

 

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

 

Kang Byeong-gyu, who had soaked his body in the stream with Seo Woojin, shivered.

 

“How’s your body?”

 

Seo Woojin asked.

 

There didn’t seem to be any major injuries, but having fainted from the Dark Elf’s attack, he was a bit concerned.

 

“I’m fine, except for being completely drained of mana.”

 

Having gathered the remaining mana, he used it to guide the knights but there wasn’t a single bit left.

 

“Thank goodness.”

 

Seo Woojin looked at Kang Byeong-gyu with a strange look.

 

Although they agreed to become friends since they were the same age and it was the first time seeing someone from Earth here, he never expected someone to worry about him this much.

 

For Seo Woojin, who had always been ignored, it was a rather refreshing experience.

 

Having a friend, a rare occurrence on Earth, felt somewhat new in this place.

 

‘Shall I try to win them over one by one like this?’

 

So even if he turns out to be the Devil King in the future, wouldn’t he be able to get help?

 

Of course, there might still be people who would outright try to kill you on the spot…

 

Still, it seemed much safer to have allies on your side than to be alone.

 

“Oh, right.”

 

Seo Woojin, who had been lost in thought at Kang Byeong-gyu’s words, suddenly snapped back to reality.

 

“I found something a bit strange earlier. I couldn’t confirm it because I was in a hurry.”

 

“Something strange?”

 

Seo Woojin raised his head quizzically.

 

“How should I put it? It was like some kind of entrance. It triggered the ‘Exploration’ skill.”