ZEN [13]

Regressor's Instructions Manual Episode 934

Zen (13)

- We've arrived at that city, Commander.

-...

- You've arrived in the city? What have you been up to? Why is there still no contact?

-...

- Just to be safe, I'm staying at Emile's Inn. The breakfast here is decent. But the rooms are pretty lousy. Oh! I didn't know there was a city like this... The atmosphere is nice, and the black market seems usable too. There seem to be more places like this in the Republic than I thought.

-....

- I'm just staying put for now. It gets a bit boring. You received the official letter from the Continental Protection Management, right? You managed to keep it hidden from Hyunseong, right? If that letter gets out, it'll cause a commotion. Maybe it's because of the rumors that I fled to the Union recently, but it seems like things are well-managed there. Thanks to that, it's comfortable for me to operate here. I've been moving around a lot even by myself.

- ...

- Commander, if you don't come soon, it's going to get more complicated. There hasn't been any progress in tracing us, so they might inform the public soon. The Holy See is also in a state of emergency... In that case, the continent will be turned upside down again. I assume you don't want that either, Commander. You worked hard on the project, but would you like to see it overturned due to some other variable?

- .....

- You can't handle this properly either... Huh? How do you expect to carry out the project? Jin Cheong my dear Commander. If you can't even handle something this simple properly... how can you be entrusted with the continent? Am I wrong? If you're putting your trust in Noona Ji-hye like this, I'll be hurt. You need to know who the actual manager is. Strictly speaking, it's me, the overall person in charge. Huh? Huh? Jin Qing, Commander, aren't you swearing internally right now? Sir, right? Sir. I'm your superior.

-....

- Hey, Commander. Do you find my words amusing? Do my words sound funny to you? Can't you hear my words as they are?

- Damn it...

- That's right.

- Damn it, Lee Kiyoung. You're handling things well even without my interference.

-I shouldn't have assigned such a powerful idiot like you in the first place. There was still time even after arriving in the city. This damn guy. Hyunseong, right? Is he doing well?

- Don't drag me into these useless matters. I have my own tasks to handle, and... dealing with that foolish guy...

- During the internship, you're supposed to be involved in various odd jobs as well.

- Damn it. Disgusting bastard. Why on earth... Damn it.

- Oh, you want to beat me up?

- ....

'You don't need to beat me up.'

- If you want to beat me up, you can go ahead. We have plenty of manpower.

- Ridiculous.

'You got me.'

- It's not like we have a surplus of manpower... Well, with you, Commander, stressed out by this kind of thing... I apologize for suggesting this position. You have a lot of tasks, and... having to worry about the continent project too... it's just... it feels like an unnecessary burden... Maybe I overestimated your abilities, Commander. I'm also thinking... if it becomes overwhelming, feel free to let me know.

-.....

'This guy seems upset.'

Or is it because of his pride that he can't say anything? He might feel self-conscious about not giving up.

The desire to manage the continent and achieve his desired project is like a sweet fruit that's unmatched by anything else. Especially for us humans, it must feel even stronger.

'You've been working hard, and then the project suddenly falls apart. How frustrating that must be.'

- Commander, I might have been a bit harsh in my words.

-...

- We'll provide ample research funding. So please take care and come back safely.

-...

'This guy's really mad.'

- Keep your promise.

Amidst that, it seems research funding can't be missed. I moved towards the bed, with a sigh in response to his words. It was time to start moving.

"Zen."

"..."

"Zen, it's time to get up."

"Ah... I... overslept, didn't I? Yes. I'm sorry."

"No, you've been through a lot yesterday. I packed lunch, so you can go out and eat today."

"Ah... you don't have to do this, Lee Kiyoung ."

"I would like to go with you, but it's not easy for me to move my body right now... Until you gather enough gold, Zen, I have to do things like this. Isn't that right?"

"But..."

"Don't worry too much."

"Are your legs... are your legs okay?"

"They still don't move well, but I can walk. Like you see. Maybe when a new identity is established, I'll start feeling better."

'Yeah, if you didn't want me to suffer, you should've brought more gold. Just 60 gold, sell the Rosary, and create a new identity. It's not as easy as I thought.'

I saw the sympathetic eyes looking my way.

Although his body had gotten better, the Saint of Light who couldn't move properly due to the accident from before.

Not only his legs, but his arms also didn't move properly. One of his eyes couldn't see well, and the food he ate was easily vomited and he couldn't keep anything down.

His body was broken to the point where it became difficult to carry out daily activities.

Of course, determined Zen doesn't complain. In fact, showing a more energetic and spirited appearance is more like Lee Kiyoung.

As he smiles and opens the window, warm sunlight pours in. The gentle breeze blows, and the Honorary Cardinal who always longed for freedom greets the unfamiliar wind and sunlight with his whole body and opens his mouth.

"The weather is nice today."

"Yes, it really seems good."

"Lee Kiyoung."

"Yes. Oh, wait a moment, please?"

"Are you planning to go outside again today?"

"Yes. I think I should look around the market a bit."

Have some coffee. And get some healing after a long time.

"I told you there's no need for that..."

We need to save on our living expenses and quickly gather money. And I don't understand why I need your permission for everything I do.

Don't you remember the last time this happened? If you don't support me, who else will support me now?

"You have to be careful."

"Yes, I know. Since nothing happened last time."

"The attention of the Holy See seems to be focused on the Union, but this place isn't safe either. We need to consider the possibility of being watched or possibly being tracked. Promise me. Visit only the places I told you and use the routes I mentioned. In case of any other places..."

"Yes. I'll quickly return from the market."

"Sigh..."

The guy in armor lets out a sigh again.

Seeing his gear that's been cleaned overnight, it's hard to predict what he might be thinking.

Guilt will surely start to well up. The more devoted I am, the more guilt the guy feels.

He seemed to want to say that I didn't need to do all this, but in the end, he starts to close his mouth again. Perhaps he's fallen into the swamp of sadness and emotion once more.

The guy's eyes seem to be moist as he gazes at the Honorary Cardinal struggling to move with his legs.

Whether it's hard to hide his tears or not, he turns his back and collects his gear. His back looks particularly small.

"I'll be going."

"Yes. Please go, Zen."

Hearing the voice mixed with sobbing, I feel like my mood will sour.

"I'll come back as quickly as possible today."

"Yes."

"And..."

"Yes?"

"Thank you, always."

"It's what I want to say."

"Really... truly... thank you."

"Please go."

Stop chattering and go out quickly. Let's have some free time too.

The guy who wandered by the door for a long time starts to leave outside, and I too immediately put on the freshly cleaned mantle and head outside.

Though I've done the laundry, the mantle is still dirty, but to hide my identity, going out like this is necessary. It's still a dangerous timing, as the guy said.

After pressing the mantle down to my head...

'Let's go have some coffee.'

I've been busy making lunch and cleaning my gear since morning. This level of healing is necessary.

I immediately change my direction.

The atmosphere of the newly established city is quite unique. Though I thought many areas with black markets were backward or dangerous, it doesn't seem that way.

Adventurers are swiftly moving to dispose of items that can't usually be sold or to acquire things that can't be found easily.

It's not as upscale as a blatantly created black market, but there's a decent smell of people living here.

At this level, couldn't the Republic implicitly acknowledge the existence of this place?

The profits they make will be quite substantial, and ironically, they seem to be managed quite transparently.

'I should ask Jincheong later.'

Of course, there are typical black markets as well. Zen mainly receives commissions and disposes of items there, but that's irrelevant to me.

I stop by the market, buy some food for the next three days...

'It's a cafe.'

Just as I was about to walk to the cafe.

"It's the Blue Guild."

I hear that voice. Naturally, I tense up momentarily.

'What the... They shouldn't be here.'

They're in the Union right now. And weren't Lian and Changryeol preventing them from coming here?

Even in the midst of this, the voice keeps coming.

"Who are they? They're not familiar faces."

"They're the Blue Guild members who joined the Republic branch."

I involuntarily nod my head. Since Hyung Sung was in charge of establishing the Republic branch, he must have received new guild members.

They might have been hired as temporary workers or they could be adventurers doing something similar to an internship.

Still, it seems like this bastard Kim Hyunseong is doing his job properly.

I also considered the possibility that Jincheong managed most of it, but it looks like Kim Hyunseong has achieved relatively good results.

I feel better. They might have started a new business, or perhaps they were in a dungeon during that time.

'Where did they go?'

"Huh?"

I'm curious about the specs and characteristics of the new guild members who have joined.

It doesn't seem necessary to avoid them. They probably won't recognize me anyway.

Still, I pull my hood a bit lower and look around.

"I see Blue Guild emblems here."

"Hey. I heard they're promising newcomers who finished the tutorial dungeon in a short time. Looks like they eventually joined the Blue Guild. They probably received a high salary and contract fees for joining. Envious. Starting a brilliant life right away..."

"There weren't any offers from Republic guilds?"

"The Blue Guildmaster personally selects them, but I wonder what they would say. They joined for money, power, and strength. Most Republic guilds probably can't meet the conditions set by the Blue Guild."

"That's true."

This story seems to be quite well-known, after all.

'I should have shown more interest.'

Actually, it doesn't matter, but it's interesting.

I don't know if Kim Hyunseong personally selected them, but they are Blue Guild members anyway. I might come across their faces someday.

Of course, since they've just graduated from the tutorial, it will take some time for them to be officially recognized as guild members.

But if they seem talented, it's not a big deal to invest in them a little.

It was when I looked around again.

With a thud, I was pushed aside.

Maybe it's because I frequently stretch my legs, but my balance was momentarily lost and I rolled onto the ground.

Without realizing it, I turned around, and the first thing that came into view was the Blue Guild emblem on their chest.

Then I heard a quiet voice.

"What's this guy doing?"

What did he say?

"Why is this punk lying on the ground..."

What?

----

Arrogant new Blue Guild members. Well... they do have the right to be.

Also.. Kiyoung sounded like a house wife in this chapter LMAO