Chapter 120: Proposal Ring (4)

Chapter 120: Proposal Ring (4)

“Yes, no. Rather, the reason you were called to this world...in many ways, it’s largely your fault.”

At the Blue Merchant’s cryptic words, Kim Hyunwoo said,

“Because of me?”

“Yes. Um- Actually, I’d like to tell you more, but it’s beyond my authority, so it’s a bit difficult to say more.”

“Yes...? Authority?”

“I told you earlier, didn’t I? I’m merely a messenger, meaning the information I can provide you with is already determined. Unfortunately.”

“...Can’t you just tell me?”

“I’d like to, but I regret that I cannot.”

“......”

Kim Hyunwoo thought, why tell me to ask anything if it’s going to be like this...but he refocused as the Blue Merchant continued speaking.

“Well, I can still give you a clear answer on this. The one who summoned you was not the one who gave me orders.”

“You know who it is, but you have no intention of telling me...?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but that I can’t. However, a hint is that the person who summoned you is, in many ways, entangled with you. Perhaps more than you think.”

The Blue Merchant said so, cleared her throat briefly, and continued.

“Now, within the limits of what you’re curious about, I’ve spoken as I wished, so I’ll give you a bit of the story I have to tell.”

“...For reference, what is this story you’re going to tell?”

With a suspicious expression, Kim Hyunwoo asked, to which the Blue Merchant replied with a smile,

“Of course, it’s not a story without interest. In fact, it’s something you might be even more curious about. It’s about the purpose.”

“...Purpose, you mean what- I need to do something here- is that the kind of story?”

“Yes, exactly. It’s something we’d like you to do. If you do, there’ll be a significant reward in return.”

The Blue Merchant looked at Kim Hyunwoo, pondering where to begin the story, tapping on the white chair several times.

Suddenly, looking at her, Kim Hyunwoo, driven by curiosity, asked,

“Do I have the right to refuse?”

“Yes?”

“The right to refuse. I was wondering if it’s mandatory.”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s question, the Blue Merchant seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking,

“No? It’s not exactly mandatory. However-”

“However?”

“Even if there is a right to refuse, it’s something that must be done regardless. If not done, the end won’t be very good.”

“......”

“Ah, just to clarify, this is not a threat. Really. My point is, regardless of how you react to this story, you will be involved in that major event.”

After saying this, the Blue Merchant seemed to have organized her thoughts and began speaking,

“Let’s start with this. Are you familiar with demons?”

“...Well, I might not know much, but I am aware of their existence.”

At Kim Hyunwoo’s words, the Blue Merchant spoke as if pleased,

“Then it will be quite easy to explain. What we’d like to ask of you is to protect this world from demons and other high-dimensional beings.”

“High-dimensional beings...?”

“Yes, to put it simply, the demons. It might sound a bit funny, but humans in this world don’t have the power to stop beings like demons from higher dimensions.”

At the Blue Merchant’s words, Kim Hyunwoo uttered an “Ah”, and took the somewhat bland-looking ring from inside the small box.

“Now that I’ve given you everything, I’ll be going. Please hear the rest from the Red Merchant.”

As she began to disappear into a blue light before Kim Hyunwoo could even ask, he urgently called out,

“Wait! But you said this is something only I can do, how does that make any sense!? What power do I supposedly have!?”

Kim Hyunwoo’s incredulous question.

However, the Blue Merchant, staring intently at him, said,

“No? Think about it. You possess a power that no one else has.”

Saying so, she gradually began to disappear.

“Ah.”

When about half of her body had disappeared, she let out a low exclamation and said,

“I think I can give you this much of a hint.”

With a slight smile, she added,

“Think again about the number of heroes at the Round Table.”

With those words, she vanished completely.

And then,

“...Wait, what is this-”

Before Kim Hyunwoo could fully process the words left by the Blue Merchant, he found himself repeating her last words without realizing,

“...The number of heroes at the Round Table?”

Kim Hyunwoo tilted his head in confusion.

The Round Table was akin to a group name he had given to the heroes he primarily used while managing Lartania ten years ago, consisting of a total of five members.

The Beast King.

The Absolute Ruler of Darkness.

The Crimson Dragon.

The Hero King.

And then...

“...Huh?”

Kim Hyunwoo felt a moment of alienation and tilted his head, puzzled.

‘...Were there four?’

He frowned slightly.

However, Kim Hyunwoo’s confusion didn’t last long.

Creeeak-!

That’s because he turned his gaze toward the sound of the office door opening, which was different from the usual.

There,

“My Lord...?”

was Elena.

“...I think I saw something strange... Could you, perhaps, explain it to me?”

Holding a pair of axes in her hands, as if she had come from training.