/
Chapter 20
Because I believe in myself
Less than a few days after the ‘Foreseen Future’ intermediate skill was automatically used:
“Leader-Hyung, I’ll be briefly going to the Western Forest today.” Raen, eating lunch at a late hour with an exhausted expression, said.
Park Yul, in front of me, immediately responded, “When? Shall we go together, Raen-ah?”
“I’m thinking of slowly heading out a bit later. And, I’ll be going alone.” Raen poked a small piece of bread with his fork before continuing, “I’ll just be checking on the magic I’ve placed in that area. I’ll be fine, Leader-Hyung.”
“Alright–the Western Forest tends to be safe and stable, so it should be fine. Still, be cautious and come back safely.”
Raen nodded. The red-haired Warrior rose from his seat, bowl floating behind him, as he moved away. He must have finished eating as he was cleaning up after himself.
The sunlight that came in through the window shone on his crimson locks. Just as I saw his back slowly moving further away, I thought, ‘It must be today.’
I had a feeling–just a hunch. The future I saw will happen today. Suddenly, my blood felt ice-cold in my veins; my fingertips trembled.
‘No–It should be fine. I can change that vision. Raen will be sitting here tomorrow as well.’ I tried to calm my heart before opening my mouth, “Raen Hyung, I want to go with you.”
I tried to speak calmly, but the slight tension in my voice couldn’t be hidden. No matter how much I wracked my brain, the only solution would be to travel with him. I couldn’t reveal my knowledge of the possible future, and it would be strange for me to suddenly–and without any given reason–stop Raen from leaving.
Furthermore, I didn’t think it was a good idea to force another Warrior into traveling with him. No one else has any idea what will happen, so what was the point? No matter how many people accompany Raen, nothing may change. In addition, the others may be plunged into danger as well.
Therefore, this was the surest method I had in my repertoire. If the worst were to happen, I could take care of the situation quickly.
“Why all of the sudden, Yihan-ah? This Hyung doesn’t really want Yihan-ie to go.” Park Yul stared at me–he seemed worried about possible dangers.
I looked at him; he said the area was stable, though. Of course, I wasn’t completely ignorant of the implications behind his words. He was extra worried due to the fact that I couldn’t use magic.
Besides, I knew that the forest was actually dangerous. To be exact, I wouldn’t be in danger…rather it was Raen, the Chosen Hero should be worried about.
I immediately opened my mouth and spoke my pre-rehearsed reasons, “If Raen Hyung can go alone, then it can’t be that dangerous. Yul Hyung, I can’t stay here, in this house, forever.”
“Yihan-ah, there will be a lot of opportunities–a lot of time–in the future. I don’t think you need to hurry. It won’t be too late if you prepare properly and venture out later.”
Though I tried to speak further about my own desire to leave, Park Yul’s attitude was more stubborn than I expected. Plus, everything he said was quite reasonable.
I was complacent. As someone who never really had proper conversations with others, I thought my simple argument would be enough to persuade someone. How shortsighted of me; I should have thought and brainstormed more carefully. However, I couldn’t let Raen be sent off alone either.
‘What should I say?’
My brain felt tangled; I still hadn’t become verbally quick-witted.
Raen seemed to agree with Park Yul, therefore I had to persuade the other Warrior as well. With shaky eyes, I turned my head towards the redhead.
At that moment, our gazes met and locked; It felt as if he was staring at me all this while.
“Yihan.” Raen’s expression looked stiff; nervous tension ran through his body. Was there any reason for him to be so nervous? Just as I thought that, he continued to speak, cautiously, “Do you have anything to say to me?”
Then, he mouthed, ‘About last time’s incident?’
An idea flashed through my brain. Raen must be referring to the time he walked in on me cutting myself in order to use my clairvoyance skills. He had told me to come to him if I had anything I wanted to say.
I never thought Raen would interpret my vehement desire in that way, but now was not the time to absolve him of this misunderstanding. I nodded urgently.
Seeing that, Raen opened his mouth, “Leader Hung. We’ll go together.”
Fortunately, Raen accepted my insistence on joining him.
Park Yul appeared to try and stop us at first, but, after a few quiet conversations with Raen, he finally accepted our decision. Since the Chosen Hero had stated earlier that the Western Forest was relatively safe, Park Yul’s anxiety was relieved to some extent.
Yellow sunshine poured in through the window. By the time those sunrays turn red… Raen will… Raen will be alright. He’ll return in perfect shape.
‘It’ll be fine.’
The ongoing required quest still remained unfinished; Raen must still not have resolved some doubts about me in the back of his mind. I may be the only one who holds no suspicions about my existence, my powers, or even my intentions.
‘I can do this.’ I repeated those words to myself, like a spell.
◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇
Raen soon brought me to his room. Then, he waited for me to speak. But, of course, I had nothing to say.
“It’s alright, Yihan. You can take your time.” Raen said.
I gave a soft, quiet thanks as the other Warrior reached out to gently pat my head. Raen waved another hand into the air and opened the bedside table’s drawer. Several small packaged chocolates floated up.
The flying chocolates gently piled up on the desk next to me; Raen lifted one of them and peeled off the wrapper with his long fingers. Then, placing it to my lips, he said, “Say ‘Ahh.'”
The sweet smell of chocolate quickly wafted its sweet pungence over my nose. Raen smiled faintly–the atmosphere in the room relaxed a little at the change in his expression. Things just felt a little more comforting.
Influenced by his smile, I automatically opened my mouth; Raen’s fingertips gently touched my lips before falling away. The chocolate melted away and coated my tongue, and its sweetness spread deep within me.
Raen, observing my expression, briefly smiled again. “Then, let me briefly explain our destination.”
He tapped the crystal ball on the desk with his fingertips; A light burst out of the transparent ball and a small map floated above it. Raen pointed to a forest at a corner. “Here it is. I’m planning to recharge the detection magic I’ve cast in this area.”
“Detection magic?”
“Yes. With that, I can sense when a demonic beast squeezes through the cracks and moves around.”
I was fascinated by the existence of such magic.
Raen continued on to say that the demonic beasts attack mindlessly and should be dealt with quickly. “Ah–but you shouldn’t worry. I don’t sense any demonic beast activity there, this time. It’s just, for a short moment, I felt something different… I need to check it out.”
Raen fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. He bit his lips before opening his eyes wide, as if he had suddenly recalled something.