Chapter 436

Chapter 436

TL: xLordFifth

ED:

The situation temporarily calmed down due to Leeha’s connection issues. Perhaps because everyone had been expecting a smoother journey ahead, the sudden obstacles left the users somewhat frustrated.

“Kijung, what’s happening?”

“...Hyein-hyungnim hasn’t returned. We’ve already exceeded the limit.”

“Hyein-ssi? No way! Why?”

Leeha’s friend list only showed Hyein’s location as a buoy marker. Yet, on the 25th day of entering the Dragon Palace waters, if Hyein just went back one day’s distance, he could use teleportation in conjunction with Bailephus.

“Just turn back for a day and take him-” “No, the mana relay tower isn’t finished yet.”

“What? Still?”

Hyein from Team B was separated from Team A, a fact unknown to Leeha, who was underwater at the time.

“There was an issue with the mass teleport. We couldn’t secure the distance and visibility... seems like we lost many worker NPCs.”

“Hehe, still, it’s incredible. The materials are intact, and to only lose 11 out of 30 workers in such rough seas. If it were someone else, they probably wouldn’t have even made it. Neither NPCs nor materials would have survived.”

A 1/3 loss of workforce doesn’t mean only a 1/3 increase in work time. From the start, exceeding the time limit was inevitable, and the accumulation of fatigue among NPCs was bound to worsen! Even with Hyein’s best efforts, the limits were clear. This realization hit them from the time limit point, and during the span of a Middle Earth day, the users were at odds with their opinions. Some argued to bring Hyein back, others focused on moving forward. Both sides had their logic, making it difficult to reach a conclusion.

Leeha listened slowly to their discussion.

‘Those who want to bring him back argue for the success of the remaining quests. But, isn’t the problem the skilled giant laborers that Hyein is with? We need them to safely erect the mana relay tower in the New Continent. Hyein’s skills are definitely helpful in navigation...’

The third condition for quest clearance. Erect at least one mana relay tower in the New Continent. For that condition, the laborers with Hyein are absolutely necessary. But the opposing side? They argue that being too greedy could lead to failing all quests.

‘Even counting the Giant Albatross, and the additional food supply we can fish during the journey, we barely have enough for 50 days. Naturally, these estimates can change, and if the supply isn’t smooth, we’ll have to save. So, how long is the expected duration of the voyage?’

Combining the mermaids’ information and Fernand’s, the confirmed distance.

From the Old Continent to the New Continent, the total voyage distance is about 120 days at the speed of the New Serpent and Blue Marlin. Now, on day 68, there are 52 days left. Of course, that’s if there are no issues. What if quests or monsters that steal more time appear on the way?

The already problematic food limit is uncertain. Furthermore, bringing back Hyein would require at least 3 additional days. Even if we wait at a point 24 days away, it will take a day to return, another day or two to wait for the completion of the mana relay tower, and then another day to return here.

They barely managed 50 days on rationed food, which they haven’t even secured yet, and now they were contemplating a schedule of at least 55 days.

‘I understand the position of those who want to first reach the New Continent.’

As soon as someone reaches the New Continent, we can avoid the quest failure condition. From a conservative perspective, it makes sense to leave Hyein behind.

“What do you think, Ha Leeha?”

Approached by Alexander while pondering, Leeha was deep in thought.

He seemed calmer than expected. Had he already come to a conclusion?

In any case, the conclusion was one of two options.

“Just a moment.”

Leeha opened his friend list, pondering for a moment.

Was it really just a choice between ‘safely leaving Hyein behind’ and ‘taking the risk to bring him along’?

Leeha: Hyein-ssi!

Hyein: Ah, Ha Leeha-ssi. I heard the good news about the quest. As expected, you are amazing-

Leeha: No, that’s not important right now. How far has the construction progressed?

Hyein: I’ll finish it even if it costs my life, so don’t worry.

Leeha: Hehe, I’m not worried. Just tell me how far you’ve come.

Hyein: I can definitely finish it within 48 hours.

The steel plate, falling over the giant worker’s head, stopped in mid-air. Hyein, holding his staff firmly planted on the ground, let out a sigh of relief.

“Haah... Are you okay?”

“Th-thank you, foreman.”

“Are you still calling me foreman? Sigh... You two over there! Put that down for a moment and help with this first.”

Hyein continued to give orders to the other giants, managing the accident. He had sped up the work to meet the time limit, but now he realized it might have been a mistake, albeit too late for regrets.

‘With so many safety accidents... Without enough workers, we should have gone safely and slowly.’ The more accidents and injuries there were, the longer the schedule got... Hyein had to endure a painful learning process to understand that ‘slow and steady wins the race’ in construction sites.

Leading the giant workers for several days, Hyein, called ‘foreman’ by them, oddly earned an achievement – perhaps his only consolation.

“Well, I’m not sure how much the strength and stamina buffs from Sage will help. Anyway... Let’s take a short break! As we originally resolved, we can’t turn back now. Let’s fulfill our duties with dignity here.”

“Understood, Foreman-nim!”

“Foreman! Do we have any snacks?”

“For you giants, isn’t everything lying around here a snack? Knock down that tree and eat its fruits.”

When Hyein jokingly suggested this, the giants laughed heartily. It wasn’t just a simple joke. What Hyein and the NPC giants, prepared for death, shared was more a tight bond than mere banter.

‘Just six more hours until completion. Finally, I can rest.’

The giant NPC didn’t look for snacks for no reason. Originally, the food included in the materials was barely enough for three days. After the last meal on the third day, the plan was to work full force to complete the construction and immediately teleport back on the fourth day. After losing 11 workers, they stretched the food as far as it would go, but now, approaching day seven, there was nothing left. Hyein looked at the giants sprawled around. The construction would be completed, but what next?

‘I can’t turn back now. If I just log out here... I won’t have to see the dreadful scene.

The sight of these giants starving to death. But is escaping the situation really the answer? No matter that they are NPCs, they’ve been colleagues in life and death for a week, and I even received the title of foreman from them...’ Realizing this, Hyein was startled by his own thoughts.

‘Me, thinking this way?’

Despite his gentle appearance and scholarly demeanor, Sage Hyein was actually a cold and analytical type of player. Usually, he would consider the lives of NPCs insignificant, easily ignoring or even killing them when they were no longer useful.

‘...Have I changed?’

The thought of having such reflections in Middle Earth was unexpected.

However, Hyein faintly sensed why he had changed. There was someone who treated even the NPCs in the game as beings with their own personalities.

‘If I were to make an excuse for myself... Treating NPCs like people and behaving this way could be seen as a kind of ‘benefit.’ I’ve seen that person grow by doing so.’

But now, it wasn’t about ‘benefit.’ What benefit could there be in facing the fate of these pitiful NPCs who were destined to starve? Hyein tried to justify it awkwardly but wasn’t convinced himself. Eventually, he had to acknowledge the influence that person had on him.

‘It’s all because of Ha Leeha-ssi, how interesting. The shabby person I met near the capital, claiming to be Kay’s brother, has now become one of the most special users in Middle Earth.’

(Continued in the next part...)

TL’s Corner:

Hyein turning around and caring for the NPCs, far cry from the ass Hyein is during the guild wars.

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