Chapter 60

Chapter 60

"Ah, it's nothing. Please, excuse me." I immediately shook my head and averted my gaze. I clamped my mouth shut to stop myself from babbling nonsense.

However, Jung Garam seemed to have drawn his own conclusions from my odd reactions. He frowned and approached closer, "Hey. Why do you look so stiff after looking through my status window?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you have such a grim expression after going through the effort to summon me. You got a problem?" He raised his index finger and pressed the point down on my chest.

My arms involuntarily unfolded from the unexpected touch, "Oh no! You're very impressive..." I hurried to make excuses, but Jung Garam's eyes thinned.

"You're not comparing me and hyung just because you signed with Dawon hyung first, right? Hyung's a spellcaster type; I'm an assassin."

"What? Ah, that's not it. That's truly not what I was thinking...!" I became nervous as Jung Garam pressed at my chest with every word I said. "It's not that...I was just surprised that someone managed to pick up the 'Matara's assassin' title...I was just speechless." I said, spitting out whatever came to mind.

At those words, Jung Garam's finger suddenly stopped.

I felt that his sullen expression brightened a little, though I wasn't sure the minute change was just simply my imagination.

"Hmm-hmm. That's true, I had a super hard time picking that one up..." Garam said.

"Ah......."

"You know a thing or two about titles, don't you?"

╔═════ ∘◦ ✾ ◦∘ ══════╗

Special conditions have been met. The 'friendship' stat has now been unlocked for servants.

Servant, 'Jung Garam's' friendship has raised by +1.

╚═════ ∘◦ ❈ ◦∘ ══════╝

Jung Garam's lips turned up at the corners as an unfamiliar system message simultaneously popped up, informing me of a new mechanic.

....A new stat?

I had no idea what this new 'Friendship' stat meant, and I also had no idea why Jung Garam's friendliness suddenly rose. But, just in case, I continued to speak carefully to the Treasure Hunter who still stood right in front of me. "Have you ever recorded your run through of the Matara's Assassin raid? I think I've seen that video."

"Really? Why? You're a Necromancer."

"Well...I just like to watch anything cool, regardless of class."

"Knnk!" At my words, Jung Garam inexplicably bit his lips and turned his head away. Seeing how his cheeks flushed pink, I think he liked my flattery.

Furthermore.....

╔═════ ∘◦ ✾ ◦∘ ══════╗

Servant, 'Jung Garam's' friendship has raised by +5.

╚═════ ∘◦ ❈ ◦∘ ══════╝

Isn't the system message clearly informing me about the change in his emotions? It seems that friendship increases with the servant's good mood. What's good about increasing friendship, anyway? However, it was useless to try and make sense of the current situation right now. In order to find answers, we should leave this space.

Fortunately, my desire to leave was impeccably timed: the space surrounding us began to distort and slowly melt away. This, too, was a phenomenon I'd experienced with Seo Dawon during his contract signing.

However, as the space around us shattered, unfamiliar faces began to reflect on the surfaces of the fractured reality. Most shards showed unfamiliar people, but, in between the masses, a few showcased Bae Jaemin and Seo Dawon. With a complicated heart, I watched as their snapshots disappeared.

This is a space controlled by Jung Garam's consciousness...Then, are those people reflected in the shards of breaking reality elements that made the Treasure Hunter who he is today?

Nothing like this happened in Seo Dawon's space...Of course, everyone has different personalities and tendencies, so everyone's consciousness may not be the same.

"Hey, take my hand."

A small hand popped out in front of me, cutting my contemplation short. I complied and grabbed Jung Garam's hand.

As our surroundings collapsed, the ground before my feet shook, and I reeled around like a reed swayed by strong winds...I was a bit touched because I didn't think Jung Garam wouldn't think to take care of me like this.

"T-thank you." I awkwardly thanked him, holding onto his soft hands like a lifeline.

Fortunately, before the situation could become more awkward, a blinding light burst through a rip in reality. When I turned my head to avoid the glare, the air felt different on my skin.

We safely returned back to my quarters.

* * *

"Dawon-ie hyung"

When the pure white light faded and I opened my eyes, I was confronted with an unexpected scenario.

Seo Dawon sat on the sofa with a sour expression and crossed legs while Jung Garam faced him with an even colder expression.

Huh? Weren't the two of them close?

[Clack clack clack clackclackclack]

I was attacked when my body momentarily paused in the face of such a chilly reunion; a black shadow jumped at me from behind the sofa. The black shadow, Lackey, chattered energetically.

I opened my arms, happy to see Lackey after such an ordeal. How Lackey did not stop at barreling into my arms but instead grabbed the hem of my hoodie and began to crawl up inside the fabric; Lackey hugged my head completely and clung tight.

"W-what's wrong? I can't breathe..." I dragged Lackey from its perch and hugged it, attempting to calm it down. The combined shivering weight however pushed me down and I fell backward.

I was slightly embarrassed at my own clumsiness, but, even after I plopped down gracelessly on the floor, my servants, excluding Lackey, paid no attention to us. Neither made a noise, consumed with each other. Somehow, the lack of acknowledgment was even more embarrassing than my fall.

What on earth is wrong with them?

Honestly, I expected that when we returned Jung Garam would leap at Seo Dawon, embracing him with tears in his eyes...At least, that's what I thought.

My expectations were clearly shattered by Jung Garam's blunt words. "Hyung. Did we really get screwed? Where's this? Did we lose all of our properties too?"

"......"

"No way, are you saying we've only got this small, booger-sized place...This isn't the only real estate at our command, right?"

...To be exact, this home isn't our place; it's mine.

After a short silence, Seo Dawon replied in a somber voice, "I think we've been done in by Kim Olim's jinx..."

"Hah. That noona, seriously...honestly...Do you think Olim noona got cursed by a legendary witch? Look at what happened with each guild she's gotten tangled with...." Garam said.

"So, I'm considering contacting Bae Jaemin and asking him to consider adding Kim Olim to HaHae's roster."

"Haaah...Olim Noona's jinx is so scary. Who would have known that my successful life would have been derailed like this."

I listened to their conversation until that point before I narrowly pulled Lackey off my head. Now free of any obstructions, I stared at the two. I had no choice but to involuntarily flinch...They were no longer facing each other but were now staring at me while continuing their conversation.

"Uh......." W-what? Are they expecting me to say something?

So, I scratched my cheek and opened my mouth to speak...But, before I could say anything, both servants heaved a deep sigh. I felt disgruntled by their reaction, but their ensuing conversation made me feel even worse.

"Did you see Lee-kyung-ie's status window?" Seo Dawon asked.

"Sure. I even rubbed my eyes several times as well...What the hell did you even see there that made you want to sign a contract with him?"

"You see why I had you revived first after me, right?"

"Ah, I'd rather try to break through Matara again."

Now, look here you bastards...They definitely intend for me to sit down calmly and listen to these provocations, huh? "Hey, you've already signed your contract. Why bother objecting now..." I pouted angrily.

Seo Dawon suddenly began to giggle as he looked at my indignant expression. Jung Garam slumped down next to the Mage and stared at his surroundings. "It's so small..." he sighed.

That alone made me grumpy, but Jung Garam did not stop there. He sat and the sofa and kicked the air with his feet. "I thought I would understand when I saw his status window...I thought he'd be really fucking rich. Dawon hyung loves money, so I thought he seduced him with riches..."

Of course, Jung Garam's harsh words may be annoying, but they had no particular bite...However, I was a little disappointed that Seo Dawon simply chuckled at my crumpled forehead.

Seo Dawon, you've been so nice to me so far...As soon as Jung Garam revived you're taking his side?

Ahhh...Both of you are so annoying! You all act as you please! I've grown attached to both of them in our individual conversations...Now that the two are together, there really was no answer.

[Clack Clack!]

Noticing my agitation, Lackey-my heart's eternal ally-valiantly clacked in sympathy.

TL: We finally got to Tsundere Jung Garam!

Thanks to coffintan for the kofi! Still got more bonus chaps to catch up to, but I'm going to take a tiny day's worth of break~