Chapter 439

Chapter 439

TL: xLordFifth

ED:

“We’re here! Hyein and all the crew are safe!” Leeha happily shouted.

However, sometimes admiration that goes beyond comprehension can be detrimental. Excessive admiration beyond the scope of understanding only adds confusion.

As Kidd said to Luger, there wouldn’t be any events until they left the waters of the Dragon Palace.

Around this time, the users’ attention began to shift back to their ‘personal growth’ and ‘competition,’ as Kidd mentioned. It might have been a natural progression.

Looking at Leeha on Tortuga’s shell, some users’ eyes sparkled.

“Did you get a new vest? I didn’t see it last time.”

“Haah... I envy the Dragon Palace. Can’t you take me there just once?”

“By the way, what happened to that turtle? If mermaids can control something like that, it must be a pet concept. Are there any other secrets?”

“Can we do a raid? I’ll give you incredible items. What about the mermaids?”

“Wait a moment! Please speak one at a time. Even if you all crowd in like this, I can’t answer everything!”

Leeha shook his head and moved to another place. However, like a 7-year-old child who discovered a new toy, the users’ fascination didn’t easily fade.

Those clinging to Leeha were the ones who survived in Middle Earth, where each stat point and new piece of information determined strength and weakness.

Even subtly tormenting Leeha to hear just one more word or one more syllable was not a problem for them.

“Poor Leeha, how many times has this happened? Ram Hwajung immediately clings to you as soon as she logs out.”

“Haha, that’s right. It’s so blatant that it’s pitiful. It’s not easy either.”

“I’ve tried organizing traffic one or two times. I feel like telling Leeha to stay logged out without caring about the rotation.”

Kijung, Biyemi, and Bobae sighed as they witnessed the scene.

After safely bringing Hyein and the Giant NPCs two days ago, and on the 40th day since entering the Dragon Palace’s waters, today marks the day they finally leave the Dragon Palace’s waters.

Originally, the expedition members were gathered around Leeha from the start, but under the harsh threat of ‘If you torment my brother, I’ll sink the ship,’ everyone kept their distance.

However, now that they are caught in Ram Hwajung’s logout rotation, they are rushing toward Leeha like a school of fish in the water.

Even with Fernand’s announcement urging everyone to remain calm, the users couldn’t resist the temptation to bother Leeha.

“But... I understand that reaction. I would do the same. I just want to ask about the location of that Tortuga. It’s a colossal animal larger than most adult dragons; I can’t even imagine how much familiarity experience points it would give.”

“Their abilities are also a concern. If they can’t respond to emergencies, it’s one thing, but those who can prepare for battle in just a few seconds... We can’t handle them like kids and cause trouble in various ways.”

Jin Gonggong and Hyein sympathized, but it was a situation where they had no choice but to watch.

[That’s right. Why are you coming at us like this, Rubini? You’ve been chasing after Ha Leeha-nim just like us Rubini.]

‘Rubini?’ Chiyou’s eyebrows twitched. Was Rubini taking Leeha’s side at this point?

‘Not just biting and hanging on to gain something, but rather a strategy to get close first and then tear him apart in earnest? Well, that wouldn’t be bad.’

Interpreting everything in her own way, Chiyou waited for Rubinie’s response, feeling the liveliness in the atmosphere. Rubinie’s response was beyond Chiyou’s imagination.

[T-That is... I just... I just wanted to let Leeha rest... that’s all.]

‘...What? What is this clumsy fox-like behavior? No, wait, wait. Is this...?’

This was precisely the point where Chiyou’s ‘environment’ differed from before. If Yongyong only conveyed ‘something happened’ to her, she would never have been able to think like this.

If Rubini was just trying to foxily steal information from Leeha as Chiyou initially thought, her nature would confirm that. However, now? The subtle difference in Rubini’s voice and the nuance within injected new thoughts into Chiyou’s mind.

The first sacrificial lamb designated in the Mermaid Quest, the Oracle Rubinie. Chiyou reconsidered her past experiences and actions, slowly aligning them with her current statement.

‘Right. She did subtly talk like that back then too, didn’t she? Hmph... this will be interesting. At least I can drop one eye. Well, if you’re going to be interesting, it’s worth keeping an eye on you.’

Chiyou began to tidy her clothes, trying to grasp the situation a bit more. The confusion in Rubini’s words affected not only Chiyou but also the users around Leeha.

“What are you talking about? It’s like you’re saying we’re bothering Ha Leeha-nim?”

“Yeah, when we have this much free time, isn’t it Middle Earth to talk about these things and exchange information? Rubinie, you’re overreacting.”

“That’s right. We naturally share our information with Hailea. Hailea, are you a musketeer? Since you’re a ranged dealer, you must need agility achievements. That’s why I can tell you.”

“Oh! Don’t cut in line sneakily like that.”

As one or two users were heading towards Rubini, their arrows were now directed back towards Leeha. Blocking Leeha, Rubini stood in front of the users, unable to say anything more in the face of their aggressive demeanor.

Watching this scene, Leeha couldn’t tolerate it any longer.

Baaaaaang———–! Black Bess’s shot soared into the sky, startling even the other users on the Blue Hermit.

“Oh, really! If you keep doing this, I’ll just block you altogether. How can you treat people like this? Are you descendants of heroes or those who have achieved excellent results in national tournaments?”

That was precisely the reason. If it were an ordinary user, they might have just expressed admiration and moved on. However, being descendants of heroes or achieving outstanding results in national tournaments meant they were users who understood the value of information, hence their strong attachment to it.

Although users harbored such thoughts individually, they didn’t voice them aloud while watching Leeha genuinely getting upset.

Users took small steps back, subtly opening up a path as Leeha continued to advance. As Leeha moved forward, users who had blocked her path began to retreat discreetly.

Trying to escape the encircling users, Leeha couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness as he watched a user who had shown courage to stand in her way slip away.

“Rubini, let’s go.”

“Oh... yes.”

Nodding slightly, Rubinie followed Leeha quickly. Leeha confidently led her to where Kijung and Bobae were.