Somehow, Serin’s mood had become a bit frightening. It felt like her eyes were wide open and her pupils had constricted.
Last time, Hayoung called Serin a rude girl, so could it be that their relationship was really bad? Is that why she’s on guard now?
Just as I was about to reply—
“Of course I know! Look at what we’re doing!”
Hayoung answered with a laugh, tightening her grip on my arm.
“…”
Serin was looking at us with a strange expression.
“So, what kind of relationship do you have? That’s what I asked.”
“Um, I’d say we’re like best friends?”
“What…?”
“Isn’t that right?”
Hayoung asked while looking up at me, but best friends is true.
“Hey, come on! Answer me. We’re close enough to sleep together at night, right? Huh?”
“Why do you have to say something weird!”
That makes it sound strange!
“But it’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“It’s kind of similar, but…”
“What do you mean?”
Serin stared at me.
“Geunhyeop. What exactly did that woman just say…?”
“No, Serin! That’s not it!”
It’s just that Hayoung said something weird, but it’s really not that strange. But Serin’s eyes are too scary for me to say anything…!
“Um, but Jade Flower Sword, what kind of relationship do you have with her to keep questioning like this?”
“…We’re friends.”
“What kind of friends?”
Hayoung let go of my arm and burst out laughing.
“Ahahahaha! Friends! So, the Jade Flower Sword has a boyfriend? Really!”
“No, Hayoung. I told you we’re friends! Serin is a martial artist I respect as my master.”
“Oh, really! That’s surprising!”
She’s pretending to be shocked even though she heard that.
Anyway, let’s sort this out.
“Serin, I got close to Hayoung because of the recent situation. Right now, we just came out together for work.”
“I see,” Serin nodded.
“More importantly, Geunhyeop. After seeing your master after a long time, what are you doing? Why haven’t you come over here?”
But suddenly, she slid next to me, linking arms and pulling me toward herself!
What a warm expression of greeting!
“Ahahaha! Of course, I must show courtesy after seeing my master after a long time! Alright, Serin! I’ll treat you well!”
“Hmph, that’s right.”
Thinking about it, it’s been a while since I’ve seen my master, so I can’t just stand still. I said I would sincerely attend to her, and maybe that put her in a good mood, as Serin smiled faintly.
She usually looks a bit stiff, but when she smiles like this, she’s really beautiful.
“Hey, is there any time for that?”
But Hayoung squeezed between us.
“Just keep it simple. I have to move with you today.”
“That’s true, but since today’s a rest day, we were supposed to work tomorrow. I haven’t seen my master in a while, so I want to show some respect.”
“We’re in a hurry. What are you talking about? Hey, Jade Flower Sword? I know you’re happy to meet your apprentice, but we’re in a bit of a rush. We’ll be leaving now!”
“Wait.”
Hayoung pulled me along and started moving.
“Hayoung! Wait a minute!”
We’re supposed to be resting today!
“Stop! What exactly are you in such a hurry for? As a master, I need to know what’s going on.”
“Right! Let’s explain that! Serin, we’re going to catch Hadong!”
“Hadong, you say?”
Hayoung stopped.
“Yeah! We’re going to catch Hadong. You must know about body constitution since you’re her master, right? We’ll try to gather information on Hadong. We don’t have time. I must uncover this guy’s body constitution quickly! As a master, you won’t stop me, right?”
“…”
I didn’t think we had to rush this much.
“I understand now. So, does the Fiery Lotus know about your body constitution?”
“Yeah. I was going to say that. Hayoung visited last time.”
“Hayoung.”
“Yeah, it turns out she heard information from Seonui.”
I explained what happened with Serin.
“So Hayoung said she’d look into it, so I followed her to near the Mosan Sect last time. We researched there a bit but needed more information on Yaudon. That’s why I was going to catch Hadong. I wanted to say hello since I heard you were around.”
“I understand. I get the situation.”
Serin nodded.
“Right? So we’re leaving now, so see you later!”
“No need to see you later. I’m coming with you.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
You’re coming with us?
“Right now, my friend and disciple Geunhyeop is off to defeat a demon to discover his body constitution. How can I just sit back as his master? Geunhyeop, I will join you.”
“Really!”
That’s great for me!
“Yay! But Serin, are you sure? Don’t you have something important to do?”
“Hmm, it’s fine. As I said last time, I felt inadequate, so I came out to train. Going to catch demons like this might be good.”
“Awesome! Hayoung! Let’s go with Serin!”
“Hayoung? You’re on a first-name basis with her. Looks like you’ve become quite close.”
“Yeah, it happened this time.”
I noticed that their feelings towards each other don’t seem too good. But who am I? I’m Kim Geunhyeop, famous for my kindness.
Since both of them are my friends and already know each other, this could be a good opportunity to settle any grudges and get along well.
I can make that happen.
“Is it really okay to go with the Jade Flower Sword?”
“No problem! Even though you might not see it, the Fiery Lotus and I have a relationship like friends. It seems right to travel together.”
“What friends are you talking about? Well, I can’t stop you from saying you’ll join. Let’s go.”
“Thank you.”
See? Everything is turning out just fine.
Anyway, I ended up unexpectedly teaming up with Serin. From a duo party to a trio party! The thought of showing off my improved skills to Serin makes my heart race.
“By the way, Serin. There’s something I need to report as your disciple.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“My proficiency has increased! I can do something amazing now!”
“You had a breakthrough.”
Serin smiled softly and clapped gently.
“Hoho, you did well. I’ll witness it firsthand.”
“Ah! Just thinking about showing off makes my heart pound!”
“Hehe, it was indeed impressive. I was right beside you when you reached that level.”
Hayoung was beside me back then.
“It was amazing, right? It’s a sight you don’t see every day.”
“Eh…? You were there?”
“Yeah. It just happened the other day. I was going with Hayoung when suddenly, some bandits appeared, right?”
“Thanks to her courage! She protected me right in front of me. It was really cool! Ahahaha! Just thinking about that time makes my heart race!”
“Oh dear, Hayoung.”
Giggling, Hayoung hugged me.
“Stop it, I feel embarrassed!”
“Why? You liked it more than this last time, didn’t you?”
“What are you even saying!”
Serin is here right now!
“Anyway, that’s not all. It was so much fun when you shared interesting stories all night. She’s a really good girl.”
“Stories, you say?”
“Serin! I haven’t shared so many stories with you!”
“…Please step back.”
As Serin approached, she pulled me away.
“What? Why? Why do you keep pulling me?”
“As a master, I must guide and supervise my disciple.”
“That’s funny. What does that have to do with anything?”
“It matters. Geunhyeop. I want to talk to you, so would you step over there with me for a moment?”
“Alright. Hayoung, I’ll go over there for a second.”
“What are you talking about? I’m right here! Where do you think you’re taking him?”
It’s quite likely Hayoung would feel left out if we just went off on our own.
“This is a request from your master. Please give us a moment alone.”
“Ha, using being a master as an excuse? Then there’s no helping it!”
Is she going to understand?
“Just tell me what you talked about later. Got it?”
“Sure, I will.”
Though Hayoung crossed her arms, looking a bit sulky, Serin paid her no mind and led me away.
As we turned around the corner, Serin pushed me against the wall and spoke.
“Huh.”
“Geunhyeop. What on earth is going on? How have you become so friendly with that strange girl?”
“That strange girl?”
“Yes. And what’s this? You’re friendly enough to sleep together? Is that true?”
“No, it’s just that…”
How do I even explain this?
“Curiosity about a friend’s life isn’t abnormal. Moreover, I am your master.”
“Whoa.”
—Crack.
With that, Serin pressed her body against mine, specifically her ample chest against my chest.
“I can’t just stand aside as a master, watching my disciple hang around with a strange girl.”
But what does “strange girl” even mean?
“No, Serin. What happened between you and Hayoung for you to say that? Are you two really not getting along?”
“Not quite, but please answer the master’s question.”
“Well, Hayoung did say something weird earlier, so it’s not too strange. I explained a bit earlier, right? It was because of my body constitution.”
“Yes.”
We only shared rooms and meals while traveling.
“After we arrived at the camp, you know how well I can talk. She begged me to tell her stories before sleeping, so I shared some tales, and we just fell asleep together.”
“I see,” Serin nodded.
“So you mean you got close as you journeyed together?”
“Exactly.”
“Understood. I’ve properly understood the situation now.”
Only then did Serin release me.
“I’ll be accompanying you for a while, so don’t worry. I’ll help make sure that strange girl doesn’t cling to you.”
That’s not really necessary.
“By the way, what about those bandits? Did you encounter some rogue group?”
“Yeah. It was a bit dangerous. But Hayoung’s martial arts are really strong. She wiped out the minions in an instant. The leader was a bit tough, breaking through the flames, but at that moment, I fought him and managed to cut him down!”
“You mean you attained a breakthrough?”
“Exactly! Once my inner strength recovers a bit, I’ll show you.”
“I look forward to it. Then let’s go. The Fiery Lotus is waiting.”
With that, Serin reached out her hand.
“Grab on.”
“Uh, okay. Yeah, let’s go.”
Serin held my hand and led me back.
“So, are you done talking? What were you two talking about to come out holding hands?”
“It’s the master’s duty to take care of her disciple. We discussed my increase in proficiency and my relationship with the Fiery Lotus.”
“Is that so?”
Hayoung looked at me, and I nodded.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Really? You know? Alright, I get it. That’s understandable. Anyway, we’ll be leaving soon, so could you get ready?”
“Wait, weren’t we supposed to go tomorrow?”
“Thinking it over, there’s really no need for a rest. Jade Flower Sword? Did you book accommodations? Pack up your things and come here. I’ll pack up my things and join you.”
“Sure.”
In that way, we parted ways for a bit.
—
“What a joke. Playing around as a disciple.”
“Hayoung, do you really not get along with Serin?”
“Not really?”
What’s going on?
Even when they’re saying they don’t have a bad relationship, they’re still acting irritable. Am I seriously that clueless about relationships between women?
“But I really didn’t expect her to say she’d join us! I never thought I’d see such a hilarious girl!”
“Isn’t it possible for her to join us? Isn’t it?”
“What’s so impossible about it? Anyway, pack your bags quickly. We have to leave soon.”
“Okay.”
Why does she look so unhappy about this?
“By the way, how was it seeing the Jade Flower Sword after a long time?”
“I felt really great!”
“Huh?”
“Why?”
With her eyes slightly squinted, she asked.
“Forget it. So, between the Jade Flower Sword and me, who do you think is prettier? Now that you’ve seen her again, you must have a clearer sense!”
“Why do you ask something like that!”
“This is an important matter deciding the rankings in Martial Arts History. We’re in a competitive relationship!”
A competitive relationship!
So is that why they don’t get along well?
“Well, you see… It continues after the next installment!”
“What?! Hey!”
“Wait up!”
“Geez! Why are you suddenly running!”
—Boom boom!
Hayoung bounced along, following me, and just like that, we rejoined Serin.
Let’s go catch Hadong!
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