Chapter 40: The Presence or Absence of Just One Person （3）

Right after the text message.

Kang San received a call from Yeon Woo-bin.

『……This is the situation.』

The lengthy explanation ended.

Perhaps feeling apologetic, there were many supplementary explanations, but in the end, it was a request to join him in a test dangerous enough to risk his life.

『I know it’s an unreasonable request. Even if you take risks in this matter, there won’t be any special benefits. But even so…… I couldn’t think of any other way. I’ve finally become able to use magic properly, and I don’t want to give up just because I can’t pass one test.』

His voice trembled slightly.

His timid personality prevented him from delivering the message assertively.

『Like in the ant den incident, and this test as well. After experiencing two life-threatening battles, I realized that I definitely have talent. You’re a Tanker, Kang San-nim. I heard that Tankers truly shine when backed by powerful firepower, so couldn’t you invest in me for the future? I’ll become your reliable colleague. Of co-course, someone like Kang San-nim could get an amazing colleague anytime, but I’ll become a colleague who will never betray you.』

He knew himself that it was a stretch.

That’s why he was even more desperate.

The way he struggled to finish his words with a trembling voice proved that Yeon Woo-bin was sincere.

However.

“That doesn’t mean I can recklessly take risks.”

『……Of course. Even if you refuse, I’ll never resent you.』

“I understand. Do you have a video file of the test situation from that time?”

『I do, but why……?』

“I’ll give you my email address, so please send it. It doesn’t mean I’m accepting your proposal. I’m thinking of checking for myself whether it’s truly worth it, whether there has been a change compared to the ant den incident. And as I said before, if you’re with me, you might have to take risks every time. Is that okay?”

Why was it?

Even though he hadn’t agreed yet.

It felt like he could see Yeon Woo-bin’s delighted expression beyond the phone.

『Yes! Of course, it’s okay!』

✦✦✦✦✦✦

It was quite an unexpected proposal.

Although their encounters were brief, Kang San felt that Yeon Woo-bin was a person who disliked causing trouble for others. Of course, joining the party as a scaredy-cat was definitely a burden, but Yeon Woo-bin accepted reality and refused compensation, showing guilt. Back then and even now. Nevertheless, when he was desperate, he somehow mustered his courage.

‘Realistically, it’s not beneficial to me. If Yeon Woo-bin’s father is so adamantly against it, the difficulty of the test must be considerable, and I also have the variable of Trials.’

He should have refused.

There was no reason to take risks.

However.

‘Yeon Woo-bin isn’t wrong either. Tankers ultimately need to be backed by firepower to fully utilize their capabilities. If the talent I saw back then is real, finding a Mage to replace Yeon Woo-bin won’t be easy. And more than anything, I need colleagues who can accept variables. Only those who trust me, knowing that the path I’m taking is a thorny one, can draw the future I envision together.’

He thought realistically.

The relationship with Yeon Woo-bin, Yeon Woo-bin’s skills.

If the current Yeon Woo-bin was at his lowest point, it was worth investing in a buy.

Of course, the current premise was that Yeon Woo-bin had performed well enough in the test, as he had explained over the phone.

He played the video.

Then he saw Yeon Woo-bin taking the test.

『Something’s approaching from the front! Get ready!』

At first, it was a smooth start.

While the Tanker spotted the Goblins and defended appropriately, Yeon Woo-bin’s magic exploded.

『Lightning Shock!』

『Crackle, sizzle.』

‘His casting is faster this time?’

It was a good judgment.

It was excellent that he used a 2nd Circle spell with a fast casting time against a large number of low-level monsters, and that he chose an electric type that deals area damage among the magic spells. It was definitely a much better performance than last time. Back then, he trembled with fear even in safe situations and couldn’t use magic properly, but the magic that was unleashed at the right time signified improvement.

The battle continued.

And then the appearance of the Troll.

The situation reversed.

Yeon Woo-bin was visibly shaken, and Kang San watched that part with great interest.

『Everyone, hold on somehow. If you just hold on, I’ll definitely wipe them all out.』

It was different from before.

He clenched his teeth.

Even though there were no colleagues to encourage him, and his safety wasn’t guaranteed.

Yeon Woo-bin overcame his fear on his own and raised his magical power.

『Boom!』

『Whoosh! Crackle!』

Salamander’s Breath exploded just like that.

He had experienced it before, but the firepower displayed with the effect of Magic Eye and Elemental Bless was truly impressive. In fact, the battle ended there. It seemed like the situation would be resolved with Yeon Woo-bin’s hard work, but the Hobgoblin’s black magic drove the humans into a corner. And he could understand why Yeon Woo-bin felt regretful at that part. If the front line had held up properly, they could have turned the tables with Yeon Woo-bin’s firepower, but because they collapsed so early like scarecrows, there was no room to do anything.

Just like that.

Click.

The video ended.

Kang San fell into deep thought.

‘Is Yeon Woo-bin worth the risk for me?’

It was a matter to be judged carefully.

As a result.

‘He’s worth it.’

Yeon Woo-bin in the first battle.

Yeon Woo-bin in the second battle.

The two were incomparably different.

According to Yeon Woo-bin’s explanation, there hadn’t been any special circumstances to train magic between the two, but he showed such dramatic improvement that it was hard to believe they were the same person. At first, he was clearly a scaredy-cat and couldn’t do anything, but in the second battle, he coordinated the party and filled in the gaps with appropriate magic, didn’t he? And that was someone with almost no raid experience. If Yeon Woo-bin could gain enough experience and support from his colleagues, he would definitely be able to show more developed abilities than now.

There was no need to hesitate any longer.

Kang San called Yeon Woo-bin.

As if he had been waiting for the call, a click sounded before the dial tone could even ring once.

“So, what do I have to do from now on?”

✦✦✦✦✦✦

The promised day arrived.

Yeon Woo-bin brought three companions besides himself, and two of them were people Yeon Gyu-seong knew.

‘Jo Han-byeol.’

His friend’s child.

He had seen him since he was young and thought of him fondly, but recently he had been whispering nonsense into Yeon Woo-bin’s ears, which he didn’t like. It was the same with the ant den incident last time. After confirming that Jo Han-byeol was there, he became furious with his friend and asked him to try and dissuade Yeon Woo-bin as an older brother next time.

But seeing him now.

‘You and I are the same.’

Unable to win against their children, it was all the same.

He turned his gaze slightly and saw a person he had heard of but never met in person.

‘Kang San.’

His son’s savior.

He had heard that Yeon Woo-bin was safe thanks to Kang San, but the meeting here wasn’t very welcome.

He didn’t know the other person.

He only left an impression of looking like a slacker.

Yeon Gyu-seong spoke.

“As you may have heard from Woo-bin, I have no intention of providing a safety net for this test, even as a father. I’d rather collect my son’s body with my own hands. I absolutely cannot allow a situation where he’s torn to shreds by monsters and we can’t even find his body. So if you want to give up, give up now. I don’t want other people to be put in danger because of our family matters.”

He was serious.

Yeon Gyu-seong spoke with a face devoid of any humor, as if it wasn’t just a warning.

It was enough to be intimidated.

In fact, the young man whose face he didn’t know was looking apprehensive, but Kang San responded with a calm expression.

“Yes, I understand.”

“……I understand.”

There was nothing more to say.

If even warnings didn’t work.

He would just have to bear the consequences of his choice.

“Then we’ll proceed with the test in 30 minutes.”

Yeon Gyu-seong turned around coldly, as if he had no lingering attachment.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

30 minutes.

It was time for a strategy meeting.

In the situation where they had gathered, Jeong Chan-woo, whom Yeon Gyu-seong had considered a slacker, spoke with a slightly flushed face.

“Woo-bin’s father is really scary, isn’t he?”

“……He is, a bit.”

“By the way, I’m so excited. To be honest, since that time, I’ve been imagining the day we would gather like this again every day. Kang San-nim tanking in the front, and us supporting him, just like that time. Kyaa━! It’s romantic, it’s romantic. It was really awesome.”

He realized it belatedly.

That Jeong Chan-woo was quite a chatterbox when he got close.

It seemed like he was quite pleased just by the fact that he was called here.

Kang San spoke.

“To be blunt, the reason I called you all here is because I thought it would be good to form a party like this in the future. As you know, it’s difficult to form a party this good at E-rank. And since we’ve grasped each other’s abilities and built a relationship of trust in the ant den, there’s a reason to work together for future steps. If you don’t like it, you can leave. I’m thinking of this test as a sort of rehearsal to solidify the existence of our party.”

“I’m in.”

“Me too.”

“Of course, I agree. There’s no reason to refuse such an offer, is there?”

Everyone agreed.

In fact, since he had given them some hints, just attending this meeting was no different from expressing their intention. Of course, being a party didn’t mean they would be together every day. When going on raids together, or when a party was needed. It meant that it would be good to have a fixed party that had worked together. There were definitely more skilled people in the world than those gathered here, but it was easier to step up when people of similar ranks were together. If one side was unilaterally stronger or weaker, it would actually hinder growth.

Now that he had confirmed their intentions once again.

It was time to focus on the test.

Kang San spoke.

“I’ll explain the strategy now. The strategy is simple. From the moment we enter the Other World, our positions are fixed. I’ll take on all the tanking at the front, and Chan-woo, you’ll protect the rear Dealers as a Sub-Tanker. Never intervene at the front, and even if you think you’re not doing anything, don’t leave your assigned position. Woo-bin, you’ll use magic focused on firepower, and Chan-woo will primarily block monsters attacking from positions I can’t cover, but if you think it’s a bit tough, Han-byeol can join in the attack. This is our basic strategy. No matter how dangerous it gets, if you trust and follow me, absolutely nothing will happen.”

Everyone nodded.

They trusted him.

Even though it was just one encounter, his performance in the ant den instilled blind trust.

Kang San rose from his seat.

30 minutes weren’t necessary.

If they were ready.

“Then let’s go.”

From now on, as always, he wouldn’t avoid the situation he faced.