Transmigrated into the Gacha Game I Abandoned for 10 Years

Chapter 124: Legitimate Visits (4)

The Absolute Ruler of Darkness is clearly an asymmetrical force.

Of course, I haven’t seen her power in Arteil yet, but considering the power Merilda has demonstrated, and that their stats were similar in the game, it was only right to think she had comparable strength.

She, too, like Merilda, is a 5.5-star character unseen in the game.

However.

“So, I appreciate the offer, but it seems difficult to accept the support of the Absolute Ruler of Darkness.”

No matter how certain an asymmetrical force she was, Kim Hyunwoo had no choice but to refuse the support of the Absolute Ruler of Darkness.

And for good reason.

[New Territory Influx Rate:

-285%]

The notification window in front of Kim Hyunwoo’s eyes showed how accepting the Absolute Ruler of Darkness would create a highly risky situation.

‘Receiving support from the Absolute Ruler of Darkness in this situation is a bad move.’

There were indeed many advantages to accepting the Absolute Ruler of Darkness.

Her strength, enough to be called an asymmetrical force, would surely be a great help now that the demons have descended upon the continent.

However, that was the only issue.

While there is one advantage to recruiting the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, the disadvantages are overwhelmingly many.

As soon as she enters the territory, the Influx Rate would naturally drop to negative, and instead of new residents, there would be a natural exodus.

Moreover, if the residents’ anxiousness increases even slightly, there could be a massive exodus, affecting even the mercenaries not yet listed in the territory window.

In other words, the moment Lartania embraces the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, the territory paradoxically declines.

To put it simply, it would be like becoming Kim Jong-un with a nuclear weapon.

‘That won’t do.’

Kim Hyunwoo had no desire to become Kim Jong-un with a nuclear weapon, so he spoke to her.

“…As you know, her infamy is still a bit too much for our territory to handle.”

“I see.”

Sasha, noticing the stony expression of the Absolute Ruler of Darkness, said.

Kim Hyunwoo, looking at her, spoke.

“However, that doesn’t mean I intend to reject your offer.”

“…Then?”

“If the Calan Kingdom supports resources as reasonably as you said, I am willing to accept the offer. Ah, and if you could allow me to speak to the Absolute Ruler of Darkness as part of that support, that would be ideal.”

“…!”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s words, Sasha’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the previously rigid Absolute Ruler of Darkness.

Seeing her head nodding as if motorized, Sasha responded.

“Yes, if that’s acceptable to you…let’s proceed that way.”

After a brief proposal and acceptance, Kim Hyunwoo was able to speak with the Absolute Ruler of Darkness alone.

“……”

And because of that, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness’s mind was constantly spinning in an overloaded state.

‘Wh-what should I do? Why did he arrange a one-on-one conversation with me? Could it be that? No, no, I shouldn’t think like that. First of all, I haven’t properly apologized yet-’

Rin, trying not to show it, but her ears were red, and her pupils were trembling.

‘Calm down, calm down. Somehow-’

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her overloaded mind.

She knew very well that without Sasha to back her up, she couldn’t afford to mess up this conversation.

Thus, the Absolute Ruler of Darkness took several deep breaths.

“Hmm…it’s been a while?”

“Ah, um, it’s been a while- urk.”

Trying to answer Kim Hyunwoo’s words, she bit her tongue, and Rin’s forcibly calmed mind started to lose control and overload again.

“…Is it a bit awkward since we’re meeting after a long time?”

“No, no! It’s not like that!”

Rin responded impulsively to Kim Hyunwoo’s words.

Her vigor was so overwhelming that even Kim Hyunwoo flinched for a moment, but he nodded and spoke.

“Well, if that’s the case…no need to be so formal, treat me like you used to.”

“Like old times, you say? But-”

“…But?”

“That…we haven’t finished talking yet…like…about forgiving me or something.”

As if the overload from a moment ago was a lie, Rin’s tension dropped rapidly, and she bowed her head as she spoke.

“Forgiveness? For what part?”

“…Ah? Um, ah…so…there are some parts, right? Like-”

“Oh, the part where you said you didn’t come to see me first?”

“That, or something like that-”

Seeing Rin, who was rolling her eyes incessantly as if very uncomfortable, Kim Hyunwoo waved his hand and spoke.

“I told you last time, you don’t need to feel sorry about that. I told you, it’s okay.”

“But, still-”

“I mean it sincerely, it’s not sarcastic or anything.”

“Really?”

“Of course, why would I lie about that? I’ve never been angry at you.”

“But, still-”

Eventually, just as she was about to ask, ‘Didn’t you leave because of me?’ Rin felt a lump in her throat.

Of course, through the conversation with Kim Hyunwoo, Rin had already realized to some extent that he wasn’t angry or sarcastic towards her.

However, the reason she couldn’t say those last words was that she was still afraid even after all the conversation.

Rather, now that she knew he wasn’t angry, she didn’t want to bring it up and risk seeing even a 1% chance of him getting angry.

So, Rin kept her mouth shut.

“Actually, I’m kind of glad.”

“…Glad?”

“Right? Last time, we met too suddenly and didn’t get to talk. Actually, I wanted to talk like this once. I have some concerns, too.”

“Concerns!?”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s words, Rin felt her mouth twitch involuntarily.

‘No, this won’t do…!’

Feeling her lips curl up madly at just one word from Kim Hyunwoo, Rin desperately tried to suppress it.

“Well, it’s been a long time since we’ve been alone like this.”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s words, Rin’s lips curled up uncontrollably.

At least the words from his mouth indicated a very important fact to her, that ‘Kim Hyunwoo really isn’t particularly angry at her’.

Furthermore, interpreting his words, she realized that he had some degree of affection for her.

So, Rin no longer hid her curling lips.

“Well, actually, there’s something I wanted to ask.”

“Yes, ask me anything! I can answer anything!”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s question, Rin involuntarily answered with a big smile.

No, she was even fantasizing with a smile.

Suddenly, Kim Hyunwoo talks about a ring, something that wouldn’t come up in reality, but her overloaded mind was already riding the fantasy train.

And.

“Hey Rin.”

“Yes, why?”

“Among the heroes of the Round Table. Was there a fifth one?”

“…Fifth?”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s words, Rin felt her fantasy train come to a halt, but she quickly adjusted her expression and spoke.

“Yes, the fifth. Was there one?”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s question, Rin shook her head.

“There were only four heroes of the Round Table.”

“Is that so?”

Kim Hyunwoo tilted his head, seemingly unsure, then nodded and spoke.

“Okay.”

“…What?”

“What’s wrong?”

“No, you said you had concerns?”

Rin was flustered.

But Kim Hyunwoo merely said,

“This is my concern.”

“Then the talk is…?”

“It is also about this. Anyway, thanks for talking. I was curious about this. See you next time.”

He finished with a smile.

And 30 minutes later.

“…Hing.”

“……”

Sasha couldn’t help but make a strange expression as she watched the dejected Absolute Ruler of Darkness making a cute sound, collapsing into the carriage.

Thus, when the Absolute Ruler of Darkness left Lartania.

“…What?”

Kim Hyunwoo felt a strange sense of doubt.

It was partly about the fifth hero, but more precisely, it was the doubt he felt during his conversation with the Absolute Ruler of Darkness.

No, to be more precise, it was a sense of incongruity.

A very strange incongruity.

‘I’m sure there were more things I wanted to ask. Why…did I respond like that?’

He wasn’t being controlled, but something – rather, he thought himself overly calm.

“……”

Kim Hyunwoo frowned.

And.

[Meet the Red Merchant.]

“…?”

As if lying in wait, a notification window appeared in front of Kim Hyunwoo.

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