Overpowered Reincarnation Perks! - Chapter 10.7
***
I didn’t think I cried much, but when I woke up, my eyes were very swollen. After washing my face with cold water, I could hear Arvan making breakfast in the kitchen.
“Ju-in, are you still tired? I’ll handle the clinic work alone today, so eat breakfast and rest.”
Arvan, naturally considerate, put a warm bowl of soup on the table.
“When you’re stressed, you crave strong flavors. But eating too spicy food isn’t good for your stomach, so I seasoned it moderately.”
“……”
“I’ve also prepared some fruit for dessert. Let’s skip tea today. Would you like some milk?”
I wonder if he noticed that I went to the neighbor’s house last night. Or is he acting like this because of how I turned away angrily yesterday?
‘Either way, Arvan doesn’t need to be so cautious around me.’
I don’t understand why he’s being so kind. Doesn’t he resent me for doubting his goodwill and pushing him away?
He must have been hurt just as much as I was.
“Is it not to your taste?”
“…No, it’s delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
He smiled gently. For some reason, that smile made me feel like I might cry, so I buried my face in the plate and quickly ate the soup.
The moderately spicy and hearty soup was surprisingly filling. After eating the fruit Arvan had prepared, the swelling in my eyes subsided a bit.
‘There’s no time to be depressed with the big event coming up.’
I put on my magic stone glasses and decided to quickly review the strategy before Arvan left for work.
“Arvan. About infiltrating the central palace in two days. Don’t you think we should change the route a bit?”
“Hmm. How?”
“The underground corridors are complex and not easy to see at first glance, but they spread out from the center here, so……”
As I was about to explain the strategy to Arvan while pointing at the internal map of the central palace, someone burst in with a loud bang. His name was… Hawthorne or Horn or something.
Anyway, this Ho-something guy came panting, walked in with heavy steps, and leaned on the table.
“What’s the matter, Hoson?”
“Ah, Arvan. Big, big trouble, huff!”
You’re about to pass out, calm down and speak.
“Big trouble! Those bastards!”
How are we supposed to know who you mean by ‘those bastards’? Please explain clearly.
“The headquarters bastards have let monster hunters into the city!”
Isn’t the headquarters the most exclusive about outsiders? What are they trying to do by bringing in monster hunters?
“They announced it in the square, huff. They’re going to, bring them, huff. To eliminate the monsters… Attack with the city’s power, and the hunters will deal with what’s left, huff, that’s the plan.”
Is it because the city’s control has weakened, so they’re bringing in monster hunters since they can’t handle it alone?
“I thought it was strange that the number of hunters Durak brought was small, so that’s where the missing personnel went.”
“We’re already outnumbered, and if the monster hunters join in, we’ll be caught before we can even burn the central palace’s ore storage.”
“That, that’s what I’m saying. So we need to re-plan the operation, huff.”
“When did the monster hunters they called arrive?”
“Only some are here now. Huff. They said the rest will arrive over the next two days, tomorrow and the day after.”
Hoson finally lifted his head from the table. It seems he’s finally caught his breath.
“Arvan. What should we do? We’ve already planned everything for infiltration in two days.”
“If the monster hunters join in, we don’t stand a chance. We have no choice but to act before they all gather.”
“It’s too rushed. We can’t afford mistakes, hastening isn’t always the best.”
“But if the central palace starts their monster luring operation, it’s over. We can’t postpone.”
“Mr. Hoson. You said they announced it in the square, right?”
I stood up. I need to see and assess the situation with my own eyes. Arvan tried to stop me, but when I quickly shook off his hand, he stopped, looking surprised.
“I’ll go and see, Arvan. Don’t worry and do your work.”
“Ju-in, it’s dangerous to go out recklessly.”
“It’s okay. I won’t be caught.”
I tapped my magic stone glasses with my fingertips and quickly ran outside.
***
From the southern district to the central square was a straight line, so I kept running. I was out of breath, but my mind became clearer. The headquarters’ announcement must have been quite pleasing, as I could see people in the square cheering even from a distance.
Monster hunters are still outsiders to the city. Even though they should be more feared as they hunt monsters, the city residents were welcoming them as if they were foreign envoys.
It’s because they’re people who will defeat the monsters, so they’re needed for now. It was obvious they would turn their backs once the operation was over, demanding the hunters to leave quickly.
Those hunters will eventually be discarded after the job is done, I wonder what they were thinking to accept the headquarters’ invitation.
‘Surely they didn’t fall for the sweet talk of being allowed to live in the city, did they?’
Given how strong the wariness towards outsiders is among the city people, there’s no way they’d keep that promise.
‘Let’s see. The number of people who have arrived now is… Oh no. They’ve already dispersed.’
The man who was supposed to be the commander was nowhere to be seen, and only a few low-ranking soldiers remained, waving their hands and enjoying the cheers of the crowd.
‘They’re just fooling around.’
I came out of the crowded square and headed towards the central palace. Since they’ve called monster hunters from various places, their arrival times will vary.
‘The monster hunters who arrived first will probably stay at the central palace. The headquarters invited them, so they should at least do that much.’
I saw about five people in the square. But since it seemed to be wrapping up, there might have been more who left early.
‘I hope there are fewer of them than our side.’
As I was about to head towards the open west gate of the central army, I saw someone standing on the opposite side of the bridge.
‘Huh?’
It was someone I knew.
A large figure, a head taller than even the tall soldiers, with fiery red hair.
An appearance that catches the eye even from afar.
‘Senes?’
Why are you coming out of there?
