TCF X ORV - The Rise of Caleism in Another World

CHAPTER 24 - Status

{Kim Dokja POV}

     It was finally the promised time.

     I gathered on the line 3 platform with the party. Every member was checking their weapons. Lee Hyunsung seemed to have handled it properly.

“I did as Dokja-ssi asked.”

     Since the weapons they had used so far were very old, I asked Lee Hyunsung to produce new weapons. The materials were from the grade 8 underground species, the groll that were killed in the struggle last night. The blades and spears were made by cutting the horns of the groll. They weren’t long enough but they were appropriate as a temporary measure.

     Jung Heewon smiled like she was satisfied.

“Isn’t this much lighter and durable?”

“Ah… Dokja-ssi, Hyunsung-ssi. Thank you very much.”

     Yoo Sangah bowed. The groll’s horn couldn’t be used to make a blunt weapon so only Lee Gilyoung was still carrying a weapon from a ground rat. Lee Gilyoung was silently gazing at the ground. This sulking child… I stroked his head and said.
“It won’t be easy. This situation can be more dangerous than yesterday. Are you all ready?”

    The party members nodded.

“Then we will start.”

    From now on, it was a fight against time. We had to work as quickly as possible before the Landlord Alliance noticed the situation. Jung Heewon, Yoo Sangah and Lee Gilyoung disappeared to their respective floors for their missions, while I started climbing the stairs with Lee Hyunsung.

     Lee Hyunsung spoke in a voice without any confidence.

“Dokja-ssi, I am unsure.”

…He was the core of this operation. He shouldn’t be talking like this. I deliberately answered in a strong voice.

“It will be fine.”

     However, Lee Hyunsung’s face was still timid.

“I think that people are relying on me more than they should. I’m not sure I can do well.”

“Hyunsung-ssi is a dependable person.”

“…Thank you for saying so. In fact, this is my first experience. When I was in the army, I never got someone’s trust like this.”

     It was the first time I’ve heard this story. That reminded me, I didn’t really know about Lee Hyunsung’s army life. Ways of Survival only mentioned it in passing.

“Once this is over, I want to hear Hyunsung-ssi’s story.”

     I said it casually but Lee Hyunsung was more shaken than I thought.

[The character ‘Lee Hyunsung’ has started to open his heart to you.]

[Your understanding of the character ‘Lee Hyunsung’ has greatly increased.]

“Sometimes I feel strange when talking to Dokja-ssi.”

“Huh? Why…?”

“It seems like you knew me from a long time ago… I can’t explain it well…” Lee Hyunsung scratched his head and trailed off. “Ah, I don’t mean anything strange. I just…”

“I know what you mean.”

“Thank you. I’m also curious about Dokja-ssi’s story.”

“My story?”

“Yes. I have never seen a person like Dokja-ssi before. I’m curious about what you did before this happened.”

      Somehow, I felt a bit strange. The ‘supporting cast’ of the novel I read was curious about me. I had a bit uncomfortable and had an itchy feeling.