As the saying went to strike while the iron was hot, Seokyeom immediately headed for the Guest Hall. He had worried internally that an invisible wall might block him, but fortunately, no wall appeared.
However, despite running there as fast as he could, he was unable to hold a conversation with Namgung Yun.
Just how long is he going to do that?
Pouting petulantly, Seokyeom stared intently at Namgung Yun, who sat cross-legged in front of him. Unlike Seokyeom, who had rushed over to somehow strike up a conversation, Namgung Yun was nonchalantly meditating, living the good life.
It was all because of his claim that he couldn’t neglect his morning training, leaving Seokyeom with no choice in the matter. If the protagonist insisted on doing so, he had to wait quietly.
If there was any consolation, it was that Namgung Yun hadn’t turned Seokyeom away.
‘If we walk back the way we came, our young master will end up bedridden!’
It wasn’t because Namgung Yun thought fondly of Seokyeom. Rather, it was because the servant, upon hearing the expulsion order, had shouted with veins bulging on his neck. The content of his words, uttered with arms crossed, was utterly embarrassing.
‘Do you really think I can’t even walk that far?’
Absurdity welled up to the tip of his throat to object, but Seokyeom suppressed it tightly. If enduring a moment of humiliation meant he could stay by Namgung Yun’s side, it was a profitable trade.
‘Just the young master.’
Alternating his gaze between the commotion-causing servant and Seokyeom, Namgung Yun finally granted permission like a sigh. Unlike Seokyeom, who happily took a spot in the corner, even that didn’t seem to sit well with the servant. Rolling up his sleeves ostentatiously, the servant raised his chin high.
‘Just the two of you alone! That absolutely won’t do. Who knows what harm you might inflict on him!’
‘Isn’t watching someone train an even more disrespectful act?’
Seokyeom looked at the servant making an absurd, stubborn scene with a fed-up expression. Although he hadn’t learned martial arts, Seokyeom was still a member of the Tang Family. Even if it was just simple meditation, it was understandable for Namgung Yun to feel displeased.
However, if he spoke honestly, the servant might pout. After pondering briefly, Seokyeom relaxed his expression and spoke gently.
‘I’m fine. You said you had to prepare the meal too.’
‘That’s something I can just order the others to do. I must firmly guard the young master’s side.’
Despite giving a plausible reason, the servant remained resolute. Thinking for a moment, Seokyeom lowered his eyes.
‘…You look down on me too, don’t you.’
As he softly twitched his lips as if heartbroken, the servant hurriedly rushed right in front of Seokyeom.
‘No! Absolutely not!’
‘If that’s not it, then why won’t you listen to me…? Aside from you, who else here even knows me…’
Perhaps because Tang Seokyeom had been ill for a long time, just speaking normally evoked a tragic atmosphere. Since Seokyeom kept his head bowed, he couldn’t see the servant’s face, but judging by the way the servant stomped his feet in anxiety, the acting seemed to be working well.
‘What if someone spikes the food…’
Lowering his voice even further, Seokyeom delivered his final line. At that, the servant collapsed to his knees and grasped Seokyeom’s hands.
‘Don’t worry, young master. No one in the Tang Clan would dare harm you. If you are truly worried… this servant will keep his eyes wide open and watch over it.’
Even after that, he reassured Seokyeom several times before finally rising from his spot. Before stepping out the door, he held up two fingers and pointed back and forth between his own eyes and Namgung Yun, but Seokyeom decided not to bother interpreting its meaning.
‘He is a fiercely loyal person.’
Perhaps calling him a hero had broadened his mindset, as Namgung Yun showed no particular reaction to the servant’s rudeness.
‘I will just regulate my qi and blood for a moment.’
Once the servant tightly shut the door and left, Namgung Yun assumed the cross-legged posture first. Seokyeom followed suit and sat cross-legged, but as his legs gradually began to go numb, he sat down with both legs stretched out.
Just how long had he been admiring that handsome face of his?
A system window that he hadn’t called upon revealed itself. Seokyeom, who was leaning his chin on his hand, almost dropped his head.
[Two two-hour periods have passed while staying in the same space as the protagonist.] [The conditions to join the main story have been satisfied. Please view the NPC Authority (Temporary).]
It was truly an unkind system, just like when the status condition hit. If there were fulfillment conditions, would it hurt them to let him know in advance? Complaining internally, Seokyeom thoroughly read through the NPC Authority floating before his eyes.
- Grant Quests (You can set quest content, rewards, and penalties.)
- Accompany the Protagonist (You can join the protagonist’s journey. While accompanying the protagonist, some restrictions on location, actions, and speech will be lifted.)
- Use Select Player-Exclusive Functions (Available list: Check your own status, check progress of stories involving yourself, check parts of the protagonist’s current status.)
Are you kidding me?
After reading it all, accusations naturally burst out. It had babbled on as if offering great rewards, but looking closely, it was all hollow promises without substance. What was the point of joining the main story when he was given neither skills nor stats?
It’s basically telling me to just watch.
[Accompanying the protagonist allows you to change the fate of the NPC.]
As if noticing Seokyeom’s mindset, the system brought up another sentence. Releasing his chin, Seokyeom crossed his arms.
Are you saying if I help Namgung Yun reach the ending, I can get out of here?
When he asked while tilting his chin, the system went quiet.
[If you perfectly complete Chapter 4 Quests, your death can be deferred.]
The answer that eventually came out was not what Seokyeom had wanted. But as always, choices were never given to Seokyeom.
[Normally, even if Namgung Yun retrieves the medicinal herbs, Tang Seokyeom cannot preserve his life.]
The system also seemed aware of Seokyeom’s plight, as the sentence surfaced a bit faster this time. Seokyeom silently stared at the window.
I know that too.
[In the current playthrough, Namgung Yun has visited the Tang Clan faster than usual. It is 3 years and 2 months earlier than the average timeline.]
Surprise spread across Seokyeom’s coldly sunken eyes. Because Namgung Yun had come, he had assumed it was time for the main story to progress. Since Tang Seokyeom had never been seen in the game, he thought he would die soon anyway. But that wasn’t the case.
There were as many as 3 years and 2 months left. This made it a trade worth attempting. As Seokyeom organized his thoughts and twitched an eyebrow as if telling it to say more, the sentence changed.
[If you wish to change your fate, join Namgung Yun’s journey.]
It went full circle back to the conclusion Seokyeom had reached himself. Even without being forced, he had intended to follow Namgung Yun, but a suspicious feeling lingered.
Why were you staying quiet until now?
This was the system he had searched for relentlessly from the moment he realized he couldn’t log out. Why was it suddenly intruding now, when previously it only appeared whenever he tried to leave the spawn area?
Considering how it harped on conditions, it might have required meeting Namgung Yun for progress to be possible, but he couldn’t shake off his suspicion.
“What are you looking at?”
Just then, an indifferent voice snapped Seokyeom back to reality. Unconsciously raising his head, his eyes met Namgung Yun’s. Deep, intense eyes were directed toward Seokyeom.
“It’s just that it’s my first time watching someone practice martial arts.”
Swallowing hard once, Seokyeom responded naturally. Although he knew Namgung Yun couldn’t see the system window, being repeatedly caught staring into empty space might invite suspicion.
Even if the whole world was out to screw him over, this man was undeniably the protagonist. He was quick-witted and exceptionally smart. To stick by such a protagonist, he had to refrain from suspicious behavior as much as possible.
“Do you wish to learn martial arts?”
Out of nowhere, Namgung Yun asked a sudden question.
“That…”
Before he could even ponder how to counter, semi-transparent windows appeared in succession.
[Affection stat has been activated.] [Tang Seokyeom is a character capable of marriage. Options are provided for smooth progress.]
- (Nodding shyly) Express curiosity regarding Namgung Yun’s achievements.
- (Lowering eyes downward) Ask what the reason was for lingering around the walls last night.
- (After hesitating) Ask what his family members said about him.
Seokyeom was instantly rendered speechless. While it was true he had been thinking of statements to win favor, he hadn’t asked for options like these.
No matter how high the degree of freedom is, isn’t this wrong…? And what’s this about marriage?
Please let it not mean what I think it means. His mind growing tangled, Seokyeom couldn’t bring himself to choose an option easily. In the meantime, Namgung Yun spoke first to withdraw his prompt.
“It seems I misspoke. Please forget what I just said.”
Seokyeom nodded internally. It really wasn’t something to say to someone famous for suffering from the Severed Meridians Syndrome. He, too, wanted to gloss over it with moderate agreement, but unfortunately, Seokyeom was an NPC with no freedom of action.
“N-No, it’s not that. I just… thought the hero’s achievements seemed so remarkable… Despite knowing it was impolite, I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
In the end, Seokyeom picked the first option with tears in his eyes. Perhaps due to the script’s influence, his voice trembled on its own accord.
“It cannot even be called training. I merely settled my disrupted qi.”
“But… did you not knock down all the gatekeepers with a single flick of your hand, hero…? You even matched… well, my brother… I mean, Second Young Master.”
As his words stammered on, Seokyeom felt the pink flush on his cheeks deepen. Gag. Swallowing a dry heave inside, Seokyeom watched helplessly at what his own body was doing.
“‘Hero’ is also too grand a title for me.”
At least it was a relief that Namgung Yun remained indifferent. If he had joined in feeling shy, Seokyeom would have suffered twice as much.
“Th-Then… May I ask for your name?”
Finally, his trembling eyelashes lowered downward. As if this was the limit of the option’s influence, the sensations of his body had returned before he knew it. However, Seokyeom couldn’t bring himself to raise his head easily.
