Chapter 508 – If Someone Wants to Help, Make Sure They Need Help First.
In a secluded corner of a rarely visited cafe.
We gathered there, sipping our drinks.
I slowly opened my mouth while facing the heroines.
“Everyone, focus and listen.”
Perhaps it was because of my unusually serious and stiff expression.
Or maybe it was my somewhat gloomy tone without a hint of playfulness.
Or maybe it was because we were still shaken from the natural disaster.
The heroines sent me quiet gazes, without any playful antics.
It seemed they were ready to listen to what I had to say.
I began to slowly lay out what I had figured out for them.
As simply and as detailed as possible, so they could understand.
Since a certain bastard had randomly started appearing in my dreams.
Due to that bastard, people were experiencing the bizarre phenomenon of losing their regression.
Then, at some point, this bastard suddenly started aiming for me, even without any regression.
Recently, due to a certain incident, I had been targeted by someone else and had been unable to be attacked for a while.
The sudden natural disaster that occurred without any warning was also caused by this bastard.
And lastly, he was preparing something to completely screw me over.
“……Huh, f*ck? Where the hell is my regression?”
“I didn’t know it was gone since I haven’t used it either…”
“Me too! Honestly, it was so useless that I didn’t really care!”
“I didn’t know either. My regression has such a long interval anyway.”
The heroines showed surprise when I mentioned the loss of regression.
“But none of you have ever heard any strange voices, right?”
“Nope!”
“Well, I haven’t heard anything like that either?”
“Except for the standard cries you make when you’re being smothered.”
“Don’t forget to add in the cries for help.”
“……Right…f*ck…”
Anyway, they quietly listened to the rest of my explanations.
As soon as my somewhat long explanation finished, the first to speak up was Elcia.
In a manner unlike her usual self, she asked a rather sharp question.
“But, my husband, who took away that being’s power?”
“They said it was another god of a similar kind.”
Of course, I decided to be cautious about mentioning the existence of Peace.
“Does that god have any reason to help you?”
“Apparently, he loves peace, which is why he helped me.”
There wasn’t really a need to mention Peace in the information I was delivering.
Bringing it up could obscure the focus with too many details.
In fact, what scared me the most was how terrifying the heroines were.
I already had four girlfriends that were way above my league.
But if Peace suddenly appeared here?
The one who would choke me wouldn’t be the bastard in my dreams but the heroines.
“Hey, that’s a f*cking girl, right?”
“……I-I don’t know…”
“Tsk. My intuition says it’s a girl…”
Looking at Hyeji already glaring fiercely, it really felt like she would kill me.
One might say I could just explain everything well.
But if I was right in my predictions, it would definitely not end pleasantly.
Not only the heroines, but also that crazy bastard Peace would be included.
[That’s too bad. I was hoping to leave a strong impression upon entering.]
‘Please don’t do that. Just let me live, f*ck…’
[This is the only time, I swear.]
Of course, one day I would have to explain everything to the heroines.
It was just a matter of solving the most urgent issues in front of me first.
Afterwards, I could gradually unravel the complicated problems, so for now, I decided to defer it.
In any case, I didn’t want to mention it again, so I responded as vaguely as possible.
“Anyway, I don’t know much either.”
“Is that a ‘don’t know’…?”
On a different note, Elcia asking such a question was quite unexpected.
Of all people, it was Elcia.
Especially since she was regarded as one of the less intelligent among us.
I wondered on what basis she brought that up.
“But you didn’t consider that I took the power away, huh?”
“My husband, your energy remains intact!”
“……I see…f*ck…”
It was odd, but also very Elcia-like reasoning.
“Well, it would be absurd if my energy didn’t increase and I could only do that.”
“How is it that Shinwoo only spouts nonsense about dying every time?”
“I say that because I seriously think I’ll die, you crazy girl.”
Thanks to that, the atmosphere became a bit chaotic, but Hyeji’s words quickly restored it.
“Shinwoo, can we make the first move?”
“That’s likely going to be tough.”
Indeed, Hyeji’s statement cut through the situation like a sharp sword.
But putting it into action is just idealistic.
And that’s because.
“Why?”
“Because everything that can be contacted is only when that bastard wants it.”
“That’s annoying, f*ck.”
With us having no particular means to reach him.
No matter how effective and certain Hyeji’s strategy was.
If he doesn’t reciprocate, we can’t expect any results.
Even if the bastard shows up, he would essentially be useless at the point when the world stops.
“So what are we planning to do now?”
“You can’t just sit back and take it, right?”
Of course, I didn’t plan on staying idle either.
Since that bastard wouldn’t have a way to directly harm me, he would find another way to target me.
I needed to prepare as much as I could now; it was the right thing to do.
I definitely didn’t distrust Hyeji’s power, but thorough preparation couldn’t hurt.
“Well, it seems like the best option is to get as much help as possible from everywhere.”
“Got it. I’ll try to ask for help as much as I can.”
Ayeon’s words made me feel a bit more assured.
Among us, Ayeon could have the largest social influence.
Even if it was from the shadows, it was certainly better than nothing.
‘Even if no one volunteers to help?’ I pushed that thought aside temporarily.
[It would be best not to have too many expectations.]
‘Well, at least the succubi should help me out.’
I felt a little teary-eyed from being so sorry yet grateful.
“Thank you, I know this must be a hassle…”
“It’s no hassle. After all, I can just have the succubi handle things.”
“…….If you hadn’t said that last part, it would’ve felt more touching.”
Suddenly, my tears dried up.
‘At this point, shouldn’t we just rename this from a hunter novel to a succubus novel?’
[In the first place, considering this a modern fantasy is already half-destroyed.]
‘Ah.’
At that moment, the previously silent Caressy cast a worried glance at me.
“But Shinwoo.”
“What?”
“I still feel too uneasy with just trusting Ayeon.”
That was not an incorrect statement.
In fact, it was quite close to the truth.
Especially as Caressy continued.
“I’ll also try to find help… but it feels like there won’t be many who would help you.”
Clearly, there aren’t many who have had a good relationship with me up till now.
Most were bastards unworthy of being called people.
Anyway, they would probably be hesitant to offer help involving me.
“Honestly, it would be a blessing if they don’t come after my head!”
“……That’s true…”
Just as Elcia said, it wouldn’t be surprising if someone came to cut off my head right away.
“Shinwoo has done a lot of things. Even I can’t do anything about that.”
“Hyeji, if you think about it, you’re way worse than I am.”
Though I believed I wasn’t as bad as Hyeji, so I slightly rebutted ugly.
“I’m just a tool. The one using it is in bigger trouble.”
“……F*ck…”
Hyeji merely argued back childishly, refusing to lose.
[How come no one maintains their initial concept?]
‘You know you’re the worst, right?’
[……Ah, f*ck.]
Even pulling in the supporting concept that I had almost forgotten.
“Anyway, I think there won’t be anyone to help Shinwoo.”
“That’s not incorrect, but it’s not solely that.”
Of course, I had some connections that I pinpointed.
No matter how many grudges I held with many, there’s still a minimum connection where I can ask for help.
And above all.
“Really?”
“Of course. Who do you think I am?”
“Then, who are you planning to ask for help?”
If I could create connections ‘now,’ there shouldn’t be a problem.
“Let’s start moving.”
“What do you mean by that?”
As a fair exchange for us helping out.
“Shinwoo, where are you planning to go?”
“This is kind of sudden!”
“Is there any specific place to go?”
“If you follow me, you’ll find out.”
Instead of answering the pouring questions, I started leading everyone away.
With a very bright yet slightly ominous smile plastered on my face.
Some might strongly question this.
Isn’t the guild building collapsing?
Why is it so relaxed in here?
Aren’t we the ones who need help?
Is there really any leisure to give help to others?
But this is an essential action.
Unlike us, there is someone who truly needs help.
This isn’t a vague expectation or absurd prediction; it’s a complete certainty.
Moreover, this time we could gain what we wanted.
Assistance against an impending crisis that will inevitably come.
Of course, it’s true that the guild building has collapsed.
Surely, I had told that voice the location.
Even directly giving the precise location where the large guild building was supposed to stand.
As a result, right after the natural disaster known as a typhoon stopped, the guild building suddenly collapsed.
This is already a confirmed fact and a past that regression cannot revert.
“No, f*ck! Why has my guild turned out like this!!!”
Simply put, it’s not our guild building.
Of course, I never disclosed ‘our’ guild building’s location.
I’m not insane enough to have actually pulled such shit.
‘This is why one should maintain good relationships with everyone.’
[That’s right. This is what social life is.]
Not like an idiot.
