Punishment
Even though we had fended off the monsters’ assault, we couldn’t let our guard down.
There was no way creatures with an instinct to covet mana would retreat completely.
In fact, they were roaming around the area, watching for an opportunity.
Since we were protecting Yeon Haneul while she recovered, we had to take turns standing watch and prepare for any possible attack.
At the very least, until night ended and the sun rose, we couldn’t comfortably close our eyes.
“…The wind is cold. It must already be chilly enough staying in a cave on a night when the temperature’s dropped… I wonder if Haneul’s all right.”
The time ruled by night was nearly over.
A dim light was spreading across the eastern sky.
As I stood guard and took in the sight, I still couldn’t shake my worry for Yeon Haneul.
‘She’s really weak to the cold… She’s already sick, and if she catches a cold on top of that, it’ll be dangerous….’
A bad cold can turn into pneumonia.
Lisa was nursing Yeon Haneul, but I still couldn’t feel at ease.
Tormenting myself inwardly with impatience, I hoped this time would pass quickly.
Just then, Noh Hyowon, who had been watching the dawn sky with me, spoke up.
“You’re worried about Haneul, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am. You know how frail she is.”
“Frail…?”
“You haven’t known Haneul for that long, so you wouldn’t know, but she gets sick surprisingly often.”
“I thought demihumans were physically healthier than us by nature and didn’t suffer from minor illnesses much…”
“Rabbits aren’t like that. Surprisingly, despite having well-developed leg strength, rabbits have very weak bones. So they often break bones after falling from high places. They’re also sensitive-nerved, so they’re vulnerable to stress.”
“…We are talking about Haneul, right? Not rabbits?”
“I’m saying Haneul is a rabbit-type demihuman too, so she has quite a few similar traits.”
“It’s hard to agree right away… but fine, if you, her childhood friend, say so, I guess that’s how it is.”
I learned something from this incident.
As expected, rabbits should only be raised indoors.
If you carelessly let Haneul roam outside, she might get hurt by a rotten cat bastard like Do Seungwoo.
For the record, that was meant to insult Do Seungwoo, not cats.
Cats are cute.
Though rabbits are cuter.
“If you’re that worried, why don’t you go see her? I’ll take over the watch.”
Noh Hyowon clicked her tongue as if she couldn’t help it and made the suggestion.
But I shook my head.
“We’ll be changing shifts soon, so I should hold out until then. You must be tired too after leading the others and fighting all night. I can’t be the only one to slip away.”
“If that’s what you want, well… do as you like. But I’d appreciate it if you stopped whining like a puppy that needs to poop.”
“I never whined.”
“You don’t know because you’re the one doing it. Do you have any idea how distracting it’s been, hearing you mope around since earlier?”
“…More importantly, the others must be really tired too. I should repay them somehow later. Hyowon, tell them I’m grateful. And… after the exam ends, let’s set up a wrap-up party sometime soon.”
“Changing the subject, are we? Everyone will be happy to hear thanks from you. They’re all desperate to catch your eye somehow, if only to secure a bright future.”
Noh Hyowon chuckled.
Laughing along with her, I looked around.
Students from the swordsmanship track, who originally should have been taking the exam, were standing guard.
I decided to remember them, since they had effectively given up on the exam to help us.
Of course, the exam wasn’t over yet.
There was still a chance for them to bounce back.
“If we distribute the spoils from the monsters, we should be able to give them plenty of bonus points, right?”
“The points we gained from conquering Do Seungwoo’s gang should be pretty decent too. On top of that, we heard from them where the markers are and which spots are good for earning points. With just that, they should comfortably make it to the middle.”
“Have them take this too.”
“What’s this?”
I took a note from the pocket of my blazer jacket and handed it to Noh Hyowon.
It was the note Yu Noeul had given me as payment for our deal, containing information that could earn bonus points.
“Instructor Noeul said that because this incident undermined the fairness of the exam, she created additional questions that could earn extra points.”
“And she gave that to you… Is that really okay? This also undermines the fairness of the exam…”
“I suppose she’s choosing the lesser evil over the worst outcome.”
“Anyone who doesn’t know about it would feel seriously deprived if they found out.”
“So don’t tell anyone else. Just help those kids earn points without them realizing it. Burn the note so no evidence remains.”
“I’ll do as you say. But are you going to be all right? If you give us this information, then you won’t have anything left…. No, I suppose that’s not it.”
“I received separate information too. That information is even better, so don’t worry about me.”
The valuable information I had handed over to Noh Hyowon was only a portion of it.
With information even more valuable than that in my possession, I shrugged.
Before long, the next watch appeared, and my role came to an end.
* * *
When I headed to the cave to check on Yeon Haneul’s condition, Kang Hanbyeol was walking out from inside.
Seeming to be on his way to take over guard duty, he waved and acknowledged me.
“You came to see Haneul? And it must’ve been hard standing guard. Get some rest now.”
“Yeah. You’ll have it rough too, taking over for us. How’s Haneul? Is she all right?”
“She just opened her eyes a little while ago, and she seemed a lot better. She’s eating breakfast with the others right now.”
“Really? I’m glad she’s eating something. You need to eat to recover your strength.”
It was news that naturally lifted my mood.
I was able to ease my worries about Yeon Haneul somewhat.
Meanwhile, my eyes were drawn to the brooch attached to Kang Hanbyeol’s uniform.
The brooch, which had a greenish gem set in its center, had once belonged to Do Seungwoo and was an artifact treated as a treasure by the Divine Sword Do family.
[Wind Wolf Brooch]
◆ Equipment Classification
―Accessory (Brooch)
◆ Detailed Description
―A treasure of the Divine Sword Do family.
―A brooch imbued with the power of the boss monster North Wind King from the red gate “Wind Wolf Tribe’s Plateau III.”
―The young Fighting Demon Kang Hanbyeol plundered it from the dispossessed prodigy Do Seungwoo.
◆ Detailed Effects
―Durability +1, Agility +1
―Increases the acquisition efficiency of skills related to wind spirits by 10%
―Skill 「Wind Wolf’s Protection」
‘So he got the Wind Wolf Brooch according to the flow of the game. Good.’
Among the artifacts that could be obtained right now in the game, the Wind Wolf Brooch was the only artifact outstandingly effective at reducing or evading damage.
The built-in magic, Wind Wolf’s Protection, would protect Kang Hanbyeol from danger in the future.
In this world, unlike a game where you could start over from the beginning, life was never light.
If the protagonist Kang Hanbyeol died, there was no telling how the story would unfold from then on.
Therefore, I had to strengthen his defenses as much as possible so he wouldn’t die, even by accident.
The Wind Wolf Brooch could be considered part of those defenses.
‘As for me, I have Evasion Instinct, and I have Hard Skin too.’
The harsh battles where lives were on the line were Kang Hanbyeol’s role.
My role wasn’t limited to leading the story and supporting him.
Sometimes, the thought that I was suffering more was only my imagination.
Everyone always feels that they have it the hardest.
Yeah….
‘Huh?’
It was then that Kang Hanbyeol looked at me with a meaningful gaze.
All of a sudden, he turned his body away from me and covered the brooch with his hand so it couldn’t be seen.
“You’re not going to tell me to give the brooch back, are you? I know this is your family’s treasure, but sorry, it’s mine now. It’s the medal I earned by defeating Do Seungwoo.”
“…”
Kang Hanbyeol glared and growled.
He looked just like a stray dog threatening someone so the bone in its mouth wouldn’t be taken away.
Since I had no intention of taking the Wind Wolf Brooch, I was dumbfounded and clicked my tongue.
“Do you think I’d ask you to give it back? I told you, whatever you got from that bastard Do Seungwoo was up to you. I don’t know what the family will do later, but I have no intention of raising an objection.”
“Really? As expected, Gyeonu, you’re a good person.”
“I am a kind and good person. Anyway, keep a good watch. I’m going to see Haneul now.”
“Okay, bye!”
I had resolved this even when I realized my past life: as much as possible, I wouldn’t take away the fortuitous encounters meant for the main characters.
Only then did Kang Hanbyeol let down his guard and smile, and I patted him on the shoulder before passing by.
When I entered the cave, I found Yeon Haneul sitting with her back against the wall, eating porridge.
Hearing my footsteps, she perked up her rabbit ears and greeted me with a bright face.
“Gyeonu, you’re here?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Are you okay now?”
Sitting down in the spot Lisa and Go Eunbi made for me, I carefully looked over Yeon Haneul.
Her condition did seem to have improved.
Compared to a few hours ago, there was life in her face.
But I wasn’t satisfied.
‘Her face has gotten so thin.’
As if suffering from poison had been that difficult, Yeon Haneul had lost a lot of weight.
I didn’t know what others thought, but that was how she looked to me.
No, when it came to her, my judgment, as the person who knew her best, had to be right.
“Even if you don’t have an appetite, make sure you eat a lot. Porridge seems too meager for a meal. Should I go to the temporary shop and buy something? Is there anything you want to eat? I think you should get some protein too…”
“Gyeonu, Haneul is a patient. Her stomach must be in terrible shape because of the poison, so eating meat or other hard-to-digest foods could be bad for her body.”
“Yeah, that’s right. When you’re sick, you should eat porridge. Gyeonu, you must’ve been really worried about Haneul, huh? Well, you did take such devoted care of her even while she was asleep. Haneul, aren’t you lucky?”
Lisa and Go Eunbi expressed their concerns.
Now that I heard them, the two of them were right.
If I could, I wanted to feed Yeon Haneul something high in calories, but unfortunately, it seemed I would have to try that after her condition improved a little more.
“Like they said, other foods would still be a burden on my stomach, so I’ll eat porridge. It’s easy to swallow too. Still, thank you for worrying about me.”
“…Is that so? Then at least eat a lot of porridge. What you’re eating now isn’t nearly enough, so have another—”
“Gyeonu, that’s the proper serving. Even with porridge, overeating is bad.”
“That’s… the proper serving?”
“…”
While the three of them fell strangely silent.
I looked at the bowl in Yeon Haneul’s hands and couldn’t help doubting my eyes.
It was shocking that such a small-looking amount was the proper serving.
“Gyeonu, try giving the bowl to Eunbi. Then you’ll understand.”
“Huh? Lisa, why are you dragging me into this when I was just sitting here quietly!?”
“…You’re right. It does look like the proper serving.”
“Right?”
“Gyeonu, isn’t this basically a disease!?”
“Uuu… Our Gyeonu is sorry…”
“Ah, Haneul’s embarrassed! She’s smiling because she likes it!”
The bowl that had passed from Yeon Haneul to Go Eunbi looked so large it almost felt like an optical illusion.
Had some kind of magic been cast on the bowl?
It was truly a mysterious thing.
At my impression, the three of them each showed different reactions.
Lisa giggled as if something were terribly funny, Go Eunbi looked dumbfounded and exasperated, and Yeon Haneul couldn’t lift her deeply lowered head.
Soon, I too let out an awkward laugh.
Then I took the bowl Go Eunbi was holding.
“Knowing your personality, Haneul, you’ll probably eat only a little and leave the rest, so I’ll feed you.”
“Y-you don’t have to… Everyone’s watching…”
“So what if they watch? Open your mouth. Ah—”
“…Mm. Ah—”
Yeon Haneul blushed while glancing at Lisa and Go Eunbi.
Soon, she opened her mouth slightly and ate the porridge I gave her.
“Eat slowly, and chew it properly. Don’t upset your stomach by accident.”
“Mm, I will.”
Carefully, so she wouldn’t spill any.
I fed Yeon Haneul porridge until the bowl was empty.
* * *
In order for bonus points to be reflected in the exam, collecting thirty markers was the prerequisite.
Even if we had obtained enough spoils from the monsters that attacked last night to distribute them among many people, they had no value unless the prerequisite was fulfilled.
The same went for the information I had exchanged with Yu Noeul through our deal.
That was why those who had not managed to collect all the signposts began preparing to finish the exam as soon as day broke.
“We’ve sent all the others off, so we’ll be going now too. Let’s all meet outside, and I hope Haneul gets better soon.”
“Yeah, I hope you do well on the rest of the exam. You worked hard, and I’ll see you outside. I swear, as a member of the Divine Sword Do Family, I won’t forget the debt I owe you today.”
“Hearing you say that makes it feel worth having decided to follow you. The others probably feel the same way. Anyway, congratulations on fully cementing your position as the first-year representative this time. The kids in the swordsmanship faction won’t be able to defy you anymore.”
We shared information with one another and compiled what we had extracted from Do Seung-u’s group to make a map.
No Hyowon handed that map to the students who were about to set out in search of the signposts.
Then, after reporting the situation to me, she too left with her own party.
“We should get moving soon too.”
Now, only Yeon Haneul, my friends, and I remained.
Having formed parties with people whose routes overlapped, we exchanged words of encouragement before parting ways.
“Do Gyeon-u! Yeon Haneul! We’re off! See you outside, and good luck on the exam!”
“Do Gyeon-u! Take good care of Haneul! Though you’ll obviously do that even if we don’t say anything!”
“Everyone, you worked hard!”
The noisy triplets were the first to turn around and leave.
Next to leave were Lisa and Kang Hanbyeol.
“We’ll be going now too. Gyeon-u, check on Haneul’s condition regularly. If things get dangerous, use the potion I gave you.”
“See you all outside, and good luck!”
Next were Bak Sagun and Yong Haerang.
“We’ll go too. We have quite a few signposts to find, so I don’t think we can afford to waste time. Haerang, just trust me and follow me, okay?”
“Right! I’ll leave the pathfinding to you! Yeon Haneul! Once the exam is over, I’ll gift you a tonic sent by my family! If you drink it, your vitality will recover!”
Next were Go Eunbi and Nam Yuri.
“Haneul! If you feel like you’re going to be in pain, you have to tell Gyeon-u you’re hurting anytime, okay!? Gyeon-u, keep a close eye on Haneul! See you both outside!”
“Today was really fun! Haneul-Haneul, I hope you get better soon!”
Next were Min Arin and Cha Eunsol.
“You two, just know that I’ll remember the debt from today and make sure I collect it properly. Do you know how much I suffered because of you? And Yeon Haneul! You just focus on recovering. If you’re in that condition, even if I beat you in a competition, I can’t really say I won, can I?”
“Haneul, stay healthy. I’ll be going too.”
It seemed everyone was extremely worried about Yeon Haneul.
I saw them off with a wry smile.
Soon, we, the last ones remaining, decided to go search for the signposts as well.
“Haneul, let’s get going too.”
“Okay. But I really can walk on my own….”
“You’re a patient. Patients should quietly listen to what I say.”
“Am I not heavy? Are you okay?”
“Heavy? You’re as light as a feather.”
“Hee, you’re good at joking.”
“It’s not a joke. I mean it.”
“Yes, yes, sure, I understand. Thank you, little Do Gyeon-u. Then I’ll be in your care.”
Though she was wearing shorts under her skirt, Yeon Haneul said she still felt uneasy and tied my blazer jacket around her waist.
Carrying her on my back, I got my bearings and said,
“I’m going to run, so hold on tight.”
“Okay…. Um, I used Clean, so I probably don’t smell, but just in case… please understand if I smell like sweat.”
“You don’t smell, so don’t worry. If anything, I’m the one who’ll smell like sweat.”
“Mm… you don’t smell either, though? It’s just… you smell like you.”
“What does my smell even mean?”
“It’s a thing.”
Carefully.
Yeon Haneul tightened the arms wrapped around my neck.
Her chest pressed against my back, and I felt as though it spread out broadly against me.
My hands gripped her hips firmly.
Her breathing sounded by my ear.
I did my best to ignore all of it and said to her on my back,
“Then I’m going?”
“Yeah.”
Just like that, we moved toward the closest signpost.
It was then that Yeon Haneul suddenly spoke up.
“Hey, Gyeon-u.”
“What?”
“You know…. Don’t abandon me.”
“….”
“You can’t abandon me….”
It came out of nowhere.
I felt the impulse to turn and look at Yeon Haneul, who had buried her face against my shoulder, right away.
But since I was leaping across the trees, that was impossible.
‘What’s gotten into her….’
Had this incident caused some kind of change in her heart?
Or had Do Seung-u said something to her?
I didn’t know.
But there was only one thing I could say to Yeon Haneul.
I snorted and answered.
“I won’t abandon you. Why would I abandon you? If anything, you’re the one who shouldn’t abandon me.”
Haneul still didn’t seem to know.
How valuable she was, and how much more than I deserved she was.
* * *
The midterm exam came to an end.
The academy, through which a bloody storm had swept, convened a disciplinary committee to punish the instructors who had abandoned their professional ethics, and Do Seung-u and his group were sent to school detention.
And a few days later, their punishment was decided.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss