CH 303

Chapter 303

After brief contemplation, I eventually took the potion from the young Alchemist’s hands. Then, as if he had been expecting that choice, Choi Kyung-sik began to recite how to use it. “You can make Ragi-ssi drink this potion, but you could also apply this to his body. Or his hands.”

“…Servants can’t drink, though.”

“Potions aren’t absorbed by the body’s digestive system. It’s more like an Alchemist’s skill.” Choi Kyung-sik stopped speaking when I wrinkled my nose at him indulgently, as if I were humoring his pride. However, he continued without dropping his smug smile, “I’ll be curious about Woo Ragi-ssi’s reaction. If he drinks this potion, the effects should activate immediately.”

“How will I know?”

“His expression may change ever so slightly. He’s always frowning, but he probably won’t look that way at someone he likes or perhaps is beginning to like.”

“……”

“Perhaps he’ll even show a wide grin?”

I tried to imagine Woo Ragi smiling brightly, but no concrete image would come to mind.

‘Or rather, I think I would find it creepy to see such an expression on his face…’

However, I didn’t want to show any hesitation or weakness in front of Choi Kyung-sik for a long while. I nodded and pointed my chin at the door. “Understood… I hope this potion helps.”

Choi Kyung-sik pouted and grumbled at my body language. “Is he saying that I should leave now that I’ve finished my business?”

“I’m sure you’re disappointed, but I’ll give you another hug next time.”

“Ah, tsk…” Choi Kyung-sik narrowed his eyes for a brief moment, looked at me, but then obediently turned his back to leave. It was only when the door closed with a quiet thud that I could finally relax my stiff posture.

“Haah…” A sigh I had been holding in tumbled out automatically.

I didn’t do anything violent nor physical, but I still felt a lot of mental fatigue. To be frank, my heart kept feeling uncomfortable every time my body made contact with the Servants.

‘If I don’t stay alert at every moment…’

…I kept wanting to give in to their desires. At the very least, Choi Kyung-sik had a strong sense of ego, so I felt that it was easy to endure his touch and leave. If this were Jung Garam, I might have given in to him more as soon as I hugged him.

Furthermore, I have been thinking quite seriously about this subject. ‘Am I fortunate that Seo Dawon is here…?’

If I didn’t romantically like the Mage, maybe my relationships with the other Servants would have become more complicated… After all, mutual interest was easy to increase through skinship.

Of course, I wasn’t particularly pleased with using my body like a tool. But, my heart was the problem. My heart made me think that I’d be willing to give up my body if it was asked of me.

And those thoughts were becoming stronger and stronger. But, it seemed those emotions weren’t just a problem for me; the Servants were also in a similar position…

“…I’ll need to be incredibly careful.”

I stared at the small potion in my hands and sighed once more.

""

* * *

Contrary to my plans, I had to postpone feeding Woo Ragi the potion; the situation had changed rapidly as news of Ryu Hyerin’s disappearance was being reported on the news.

In particular, nothing of the most important aspect, Bae Jaemin’s movements, could be detected, so Kim Olim, who was mainly tasked with being aware of the Priest’s activity, was tenser than ever.

“Bae Jaemin… canceled all his schedules?”

“It’s as if he completely disappeared.”

The news covered Ryu Hyerin’s disappearance every day, and, alongside various rumors, much attention was paid to the activity of those related to her. In particular, interest in Bae Jaemin spiked, regardless of the audience’s age or gender. Under these circumstances, the Priest naturally found it impossible to go about his official business, but…

“I thought he was avoiding the media at his mansion, but that wasn’t the case. He’s not in his home nor at the guild… As of now, his whereabouts are unknown.” Kim Olim continued with a nervous expression, “…It doesn’t feel good. It doesn’t feel as if he’s flustered or panicked by Ryu Hyerin’s death. I feel as if he’s about to do something…but there’s no available information to support this hypothesis.”

Seo Dawon, listening quietly, tapped the table with his fingers and muttered, “He must know by now that Ryu Hyerin is dead. And, he must suspect that the [Red Lotus] is somehow connected.”

“Then…what’s the probability that Bae Jaemin suspects me.” I asked the most important question, and all the Servants gathered simultaneously looked towards me.

Though the Mage looked calm, his eyes gleamed coldly. “Probably very high.”

“……”

“If we consider how you were connected to the earlier events… You’ve actually been exposed to Bae Jaemin quite a lot.”

Just as I had expected. I looked back at the Servants calmly and said, “Then, there’s a chance his side could attack us first.”

“……”

“It would be best if we could confront them after we gathered as much power as possible.”

Seo Dawon looked at me briefly. Judging by his expression, he wanted to dissuade me, but he didn’t have another alternative to offer.

The deep fright and anxiety settling on the face of a loved one pierced my heart, but, if Bae Jaemin were to attack us, this would increase our survival rate. The other servants seemed to agree with me, but no one could open their mouths in such a chilly, on-edge atmosphere.

“…That’s right. However, But, in this contract, I…” The Mage started.

“……”

“I honestly don’t know how hurt you’ll be when you return. I can’t judge which is the better option.” Seo Dawon severed the silence and looked straight at me. I felt a little melancholy; I couldn’t even make the promise that I’d return safe and sound. If I were the Mage, I too would have hated this situation.

But.

“Of course… It’d be best to return with a successful contract.”

“……”

“There’s really not many left. Therefore…”

“……”

“It’ll be fine,” Though I may not be reliable–nor was my smile very reassuring–but I replied with my best face forward. Of course, the mage didn’t return my smile. Before I lowered my eyes, all I could see on his face was pain.

At that time Choi Kyung-sik asked quietly, “Can’t a sacrifice replace some of the risks of the contract?”

Since Seo Dawon didn’t move, Kim Olim opened her mouth instead, “Refined or purified blood is important, but… Koo Hui-seo is no longer an option.”

Choi Kyung-sik crossed his arms, frowning, “That red-haired person….what was his name again…? What about him?”

Only then did the Mage answer those questions, “We don’t have enough time to refine Kim Sangyoon’s blood. If the blood isn’t refined enough… Well, the amount of blood needed is far too much.”

“……”

“Even if you kill Kim Sangyoon, it might not be enough.”

Though I was a little concerned at the coldly objective attitude that belied their plans to use Kim Sangyoon as a sacrifice, at the very least a conclusion was reached. I’ll have to take care of this contract by myself, without any cheap tricks

And…

‘Considering how the difficulty of the [Vengeful Ghost Memories] increases every time…’

This would be the hardest.

I clenched my fist before forcing it to relax. Then, in a cheerful tone, I said, “Well, who should I summon this time?”

The servants stared at me awkwardly; Kim Olim, after releasing a long sigh, answered first. “I recommend Cho Chan-young.”

“The…Summoner?”

“That’s right. He’s weak against animals and is quite a tender individual… Choi Lee-kyung, if you make the most pitiful expression possible to seduce him… He may be won over easily.”

I didn’t think such a method would work, but I was too lazy to argue. I scratched my cheek, “Then, I’ll go with Cho Chan-young-ssi…”

“I think Bang Eunji would be better.” Jung Garam suddenly intervened.

Garam’s expression contorted, as if he were unwilling to speak, but he calmly explained the reason why he recommended Bang Eunji through his grumbles, “Bang Eunji has a skill called ‘Chaser.’ With that, we’ll be able to find Bae Jaemin wherever he may be and whatever he may be doing.  She used to follow Dawon-hyung around with that. Besides, Hyung also said he couldn’t block the ‘Chaser.'”

“……”

“Honestly, I like Chan-young Hyung more, but… But right now we need that nutcase Bang Eunji.”