M E M O R I Z E

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Yujung did not appear even at lunchtime, and I only heard noises from the first floor. I refrained from trying to know what was going on. Yeonju Go appeared at lunchtime to prepare our meals, but she no longer ate with us and said the reason why.

“I’m starving that girl, so I’m not going to eat as well.”

I announced that Yeonju Go would manage Yujung from now on. My party members did not question my request to wait despite showing curiosity. Yeonju Go went into the kitchen with a smile, and Yujung did not come out until dinnertime.

She appeared when it became dark outside, and I saw that Anhyun, Ansol, and Vivian surrounded her on the floor below. I saw that Ansol was casting a healing spell as Yujung lay unconscious.

Her state was horrendous, and it was a miracle she was not bleeding. Yujung was sweating all over and bruises covered her body. While others said she would die in worried voices, I just told them to take her to their room. This would be a useful experience, and I could see what Yeonju Go intended to do.

She and I were polar opposites in teaching styles. Yeonju Go took on the act of the villain, and it seemed that she was going to fix Yujung’s weak mentality. I thanked and apologized to Yeonju Go inwardly at the same time.

However, Yujung surprised me the most. She woke up after Ansol used healing spells and said she was hungry right after opening her eyes. Anhyun looked astonished but went to the first floor to get her some food. She stood up with a groan and walked with a swelled face.

I did not ask her whether she was all right, and she did not say she hurt all over. However, Ansol seemed sympathetic as she helped Yujung walk.

“Are you all right?”
“Do I look all right?”

“No…”

“I may die in the future, so prepare to use those healing spells.”

Yujung did not say anything else, and I turned around, satisfied with her answer. Things were now moving on, and I was also attending to other matters.

I trained every day and always meditated at least once if I could. My physical stats were at maximum, and I could not fathom raising a single point with training now. I thought about how to use my remaining points, especially my stats. I may use it all on stamina to maintain my current strength or raise others to 101 to another level.

I may get points like these in the future, but they would be 3 to 4 at the most. I decided to leave things be because I may need them in the future. I had enough for now.

I did not gain new information about the Cave of Screams or other places to venture. I decided to focus on the Caves, as time was precious.

Also, I finished the equipment problem, as I used the user shop to loan 1000 gold more. Now I had more than 2300 gold but could not use all of them as forming a clan took money.

However, I needed to show Yeonju Go that I could acquire money enough to spare.

I focused on Yujung’s equipment, especially her armor. I had focused on Anhyun last time and was going to use this chance to level her up. Since she did close combat, her armor needed to be strong, but she also needed to be fast. I needed her to specialize in melees, as she would need to approach monsters with her dagger.

I took all of her equipment off and bought a pale beige shirt that cost a staggering amount of 520 gold. I bought it from a newbie, who seemed to have taken it off a dead comrade. While he seemed to be looking for a new caravan, his stats made me pass him over. The shirt, however, was more than worth its price.

There were two ways to increase defensive magic on armor. One was to spread potions, and the other was to use magic effects. The latter was much more expensive and effective as the spell worked permanently.

I could see that the shirt used ogre muscle tissue, which made it durable. Also, the shirt had a spell that increased physical and magic defensive stats. Also, it vitalized the user’s mana, which made the user feel lighter. It was a perfect fit and even had an automatic restorative function. Since an item like this usually cost at least 700 gold, I bought it instantly.

Also, I gave her leather pants, leather long boots, and a leather jacket that all had heightened physical defensive skills along with a belt for her dagger. Then, I changed her weapons due to Yeonju Go’s request. Yujung would use the sculrep and a long dagger with a curved blade.

Since Yeonju Go seemed intent on teaching how to use two daggers at one time, I had it made with a sharpening spell added onto it. I managed to get it for 207 gold while it would usually cost over 300 gold by giving the blacksmith an armlet and two daggers.

I used close to 1000 gold on Yujung alone, but I did not mind. I was certain I would make more profit in the future.

I grabbed Yujung on the night I got all the equipment, as she went to her room late in the night after training. The equipment suited her reddish hair, but she looked at herself in the mirror and then me with sad eyes instead of being happy like before. She carefully opened her mouth as I stared at her.

“Hey, can you hug me just once?”

“…Come here.”

I held her in my arms silently, and she stayed for a while before stepping back. She thanked me for the equipment and told me she would work hard before getting out of the room. Later, I knew that Yeonju Go had told Yujung that this investment was her last chance to stay in my party, as she may be thrown away if she did not prove herself in our next expedition.

I did not say that I was not going to throw her out if she continued to work hard, as it made Yujung focus more on her training. I now felt she was compensated for receiving the least reward in our previous expedition.

I asked Vivian about Sangyong Shin once in a while, and she did not give me a definite answer. She seemed to have realized the value of a rare class, which made her careful. Others were working hard, as Anhyun trained harder than before and Ansol trained willfully. Sangyong Shin and Hayeon were working hard as always, and I was satisfied to see that our caravan was taking shape.

If Yeonju Go decided to join us after this expedition, things would be even better. I lay on my bed as the sun rose, thinking I may be able to sleep for at least an hour.